Paul Patrick “Porky” Swain, 84, of New Bedford passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday June 21, 2017. He was the husband of Joan Catherine (Walsh) Swain.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Capt. Robert J. and Helen F. (Goss) Swain, he lived in New Bedford all of his life.
He was a communicant of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish.
Mr. Swain was a graduate of New Bedford High School, Class of 1952, and attended the New Bedford Textile Institute form 1952-1954. He played semi-professional football for the Fairhaven Varsity Club in 1953 and from 1956-1960.
During the Korean War, he served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956.
Paul was employed as a fisheries statistician with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and was the MA State Supervisor until his retirement in 1994. A very community-minded person, Mr. Swain was an active member and Past President of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, a commissioner of the New Bedford Harbor Development Commission, a member of the Board of Governors of the New Bedford Port Society, and was a volunteer at the Salvation Army. In honor of his dedicated service, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick established the Paul P. Swain Achievement Award given annually to a member for their exceptional service to the club.
He loved the the City of New Bedford and its waterfront and as a hobby enjoyed painting scallop shells which were handed out to tourists visiting the Seamen’s Bethel. In the summer months he loved gardening, going to Horseneck Beach with friends and in later years enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles. His family and friends were the love of his life.
Survivors include his wife, Joan; two daughters, Kelly Ann DaCosta and her husband Ted DaCosta, and Patricia Swain-Tierney and her husband Dr. Matthew Tierney; his siblings, Sheila Lopes, Anne Swain, and Douglas Swain; seven grandchildren, Zachary, Matthew, and Jacob DaCosta, Declan, Keaghan, Maeve, and Griffin Tierney; and many nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Mary Murphy, Patricia Dion, Robert, Gerard, and Donald Swain.
His Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday June 30, 2017 at 11 AM at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, followed by burial in Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven. Visiting hours will be on Thursday June 29, 2017 from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the New Bedford Port Society (Complex Fund), 15 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740 or the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 4023, New Bedford, MA 02742. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.