SALEM- Stephen Keith Swift, 56, of Salem, formerly of Wilmington, Delaware, died Monday evening, April 24, at his home following a brief illness. He was the son of the late William J. and Jean ( Duncan) Swift.
Steve graduated from the University of Delaware a Phi Beta Kappa with multiple majors. He was an accomplished artist, animator, and free-lance illustrator, specializing in Oriental themes. In his youth he acted in Summer Theater in Arden, Delaware. He was a caricature artist at Faneuil Hall in Boston for ten years, and also traveled nationally to draw at colleges, universities, malls, and conventions. He worked for a national jewelry firm designing miniature figurines in pewter and glass.
Steve was a member of SalemArts, and The Boston Society of Illustrators. He translated and illustrated many Russian folk tales, and wrote several historical stories about early life in the Salem area. For the last seven years he was a tour guide on the Salem Trolley, and was considered an authority on Salem history. He and his dog " Derby" were well known by other animal lovers in the Salem Commons area. Throughout his life he maintained a love of literature, music, and theater, especially Broadway.
He is survived by his companion of thirty years, Paul Vaiginas of Salem, two brothers, David Swift of Richmond, R.I., and W. Kenneth Swift of Wilmington, as well as two nieces, and two nephews.
His memorial service will be held on Tuesday morning, May 2, 2006 at 11 am at the McCrery Funeral Home 3170 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, with interment to follow at the Silverbrook Cemetery, Wilmington. Local arrangements by the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem. For on-line guestbook and other information, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.