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January 1, 2013

William Swanson, 89

Newburyport, MA — William David Swanson died at home in Newburyport on December 27th. He was born on December 13th 1923 to P. Bertil Swanson and Evelyn Ekman Swanson. He was born in Brockton and lived there for 83 years until he and his wife moved to Newburyport to be with their daughter in 2006. Bill graduated from Brockton high School in 1941 and also attended Wentworth Institute.

Bill was a highly skilled machinist who worked 37 years for the Foxboro Company where he was a supervisor for ten of those years.

Bill was a devoted husband and father. He was an extraordinarily talented toolmaker, carpenter and “Jack of All Trades.” He was an ingenious problem-solver with a highly inventive and creative mind. Bill was adventurous. He built his own boat for fishing and a camping trailer, which took the family on numerous far-flung camping and hiking trips. He especially enjoyed hiking in the White Mountains. Bill was a strong swimmer and a graceful ice skater.

Bill was a member of the First Lutheran Church. As the son of Swedish parents, he was proud of his Scandinavian heritage and was delighted to be able to visit his ancestral homes in Sweden.

Bill’s great strength of character, courageousness, determination, perseverance, resilience and his many other endearing traits will be sorely missed.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Karen J. Swanson, M.D.

and his son-in-law Lawrence McCavitt of Newburyport with whom he lived and who were his devoted and loving caregivers, his son David Swanson and his wife Louise of Needham who also provided much love and support, his granddaughter Alexandra, his sister Phyllis Wasson of Brockton and his very dear and devoted friends Phyllis Sher and Ann Lyons of Newburyport. He was predeceased three years ago by his wife of 60 years, Myrtle Dagmar Swanson.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 3rd at 10 AM at the First Lutheran Church, 900 Main Street, Brockton, Massachusetts. Internment will follow at Melrose Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 2nd from 4-7 PM at the Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home at 647 Main Street in Brockton, MA.

For additional information please visit: www.d-mfh.com.

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