Kenneth Swartz

His favorite time was beer thirty. Of course, that’s only because he worked hard to earn some relaxation time. Ken turned a wrench with the best of them. Even through chemotherapy he hardly saw a day off. If he got loose most likely he’d be out on his Harley, wind in his hair. And he worked on being refined: he refinished violins and was teaching himself to play. Not just violins; he was an expert at all kinds of woodworking. And he was a great fisherman even if it involved some hijinx: he’d wake the kids up, throw a life jacket on them with a flashlight and sneak under the Delanco bridge for some semi illegal angling. Ken was a great cook, especially after a couple of cordials; he could make catfish taste like chicken and deer taste like filet mignon. And maybe his talent in cooking stemmed from his love of eating. He could find joy in eating just about anything including fish eyes, eels, blood worms and spiders. But he slid into his real calling late in life: that as a granddad: he’d play trains, split wood and ride boogie boards with them. During his fight he set his mind to a very specific goal, he would make it his mission to finish his 1954 Chris Craft. Without a doubt he rebuilt the boat with his good buddy Midge and the help of all of his loving friends. Before his final days there was one thing left to do, take one last ride on that boat with his friends and family. He was never more at home than when he was at the Hawk Island Marina with his boat family.

He met a pretty girl named Debbie in the winter of 1978. He was carrying a tree and threw it on the fire and it lit up the whole area; Debbie said “ I’m going to marry that man.” They shared a 42 year romance; married for 37. He is survived by his three children: Adam (Jennifer), Heather, and Kenny; grandchildren: Jordan, Quinn, Hanna, Gage and Wesley; nieces, Erin (Brian) and Tara (Abraham), and nephew Dennis; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous friends. He shared a special bond with Reagan; more like a grandchild and they loved to face time and chat.

Come celebrate 65 great years 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Sunday, at Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside, followed by an 12 p.m. service. Interment will be held privately.