Whitman – Joel A. Swanson 75, died Thursday September 9 after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of 52 years to Carol (Edmonston) Swanson.
Born and raised in Quincy he was the son of the late Joel and Elvera (Johnson) Swanson and a graduate of Quincy High School.
He had worked for over 38 years as a newspaper printing pressman for the Boston Globe and was a longtime and active member of the Boston Printing Pressman’s Union No. 3 where he had served as a union official.
He had been a resident of South Weymouth for 42 years before moving to Whitman 4 years ago, where he was a communicant of the Holy Ghost Church.
Joel was an avid sports fan and was a true fisherman and he especially enjoyed the challenge of salt water fishing. He was a devoted father and grandfather and his greatest joy came from following the many activities of, and the time spent with his children and grandchildren.
In addition to his wife Carol he is survived by his children Joel D. Swanson and his wife Sharon of Marlboro, Cheryl Blanchard and her husband David of Kingston, Karen McWilliams and her husband Frank of North Hampton, NH, John M. Swanson and his wife Julie of Middleboro, Michael Swanson and his wife Lisa of Hingham, and Patricia Driscoll and her husband Dan of Whitman. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.
His services will be held Monday September 13 at 9:15 AM from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel Plymouth Street (Rt. 58 at the rotary) Whitman, followed by a funeral mass at 10 AM in the Holy Ghost Church, Whitman. Burial will follow in the Colebrook Cemetery, Whitman. Visiting hours will be held Sunday September 12 from 4 – 8 PM. Donations in his name may be made to Holy Ghost Church 518 Washington Street Whitman, MA 02382.