Joseph F. "Joe" Swales, a 30 year resident of Lawrence and former longtime resident of Charlestown, entered into eternal life on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill following a 2 year courageous battle with cancer. He was 61 years old.
Joe was born at home in Charlestown on January 21, 1955, a son of the late George Swales and Avis (Mingo) Swales. He grew up in Charlestown where he was educated in the Boston Public School system and graduated from Charlestown High School in 1972. Joe began working on the Boston waterfront as a young man and continued his lifelong dream of becoming a Longshoreman on the Boston waterfront and a member of the International Longshoreman's Union Local # 799. He enjoyed camping and listening to music but most of all in Joe's life was his family and the many wonderful opportunities he was able to share with them.
Joe is the beloved husband of 38 years to Suzie (Peterson) Swales. He is the devoted father of Benjamin J. Swales and his wife Stephanie of Georgetown, Eric P. Swales and his wife Kristen of Haverhill and Sara S. Grotheer and her husband Tim of Salem, New Hampshire. He is the loving Grandpa to Ellie, Wesley and Grace. He is the beloved brother of Alice Smith, Barbara Maguire, Irene Eatherton and the late Eleanor Connolly, Mildred Dora, James Swales, George Swales, Robert Swales, Edward Swales and Paul Swales. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Joe's visiting hours on Friday, November 11, 2016 from 4 to 8 P.M. in The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown. His Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. in the First Church Congregational, 26 Pleasant St. Methuen. His burial is private.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Joe's name to Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Avenue, Haverhill, Mass. 01830.