June 4, 2008  

LOWVILLE, N.Y.  —  Robert Louis Swain Sr., 60, died at his home on the Hodge Road on Tuesday, June 3.

A private military graveside service will be held at the Beaches Bridge Cemetery with Rev. Christopher J. Looby, parochial vicar of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, officiating. 

Arrangements are with the Sundquist Funeral Home, Lowville.

Born Dec. 26, 1947, in Rome, a son of Francis and Vivian Finch Swain, he attended Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School. 

He was married Jean M. Shumway on April 18, 1970, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Glenfield with Rev. Albert Salmon officiating. 

Mr. Swain served with the Navy aboard the USS Stickel and during Desert Storm served with the National Guard with the 145th Maintenance Co. unit based at Fort Drum. He was the recipient of the Army Commendation Medal for radio repair during Desert Storm.

He worked for Fort Drum at the Range Division as an electrician and had been recognized with numerous awards for his innovative improvements at the range.

Mr. Swain was an avid fisherman and enjoyed camping. He also was a computer enthusiast and Boy Scout Leader.

In addition to his wife, Jean, Lowville, he is survived by two sons and their wives, Robert and Dawn Swain Jr., Lowville, and Petty Officer, 2nd Class, John and Yoshie Swain, stationed at Fort Pendleton, Calif., with 1st Battalion 4th Marines; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Richard and Patricia, Calif., and William Swain, Rome; two sisters and their husbands, Joan and Harland Barringer, Ava, and Susan and Gary Holmes, Rome; five grandchildren, Robert, Francis, Lillian, Alisa, Ryina and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made in Mr. Swain’s name to: MASH Team for Relay for Life,  c/o Brenda Bourgeois, 7785 N. State St., Lowville, NY 13367.

Information provided by Sundquist Funeral Home of Lowville and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.