Harry L. Swift

Rindge, New Hampshire
Harry Leland Swift, 85, of Robbins Road, Rindge died peacefully Saturday March 5, 2011 at his home with his family by his side.


He was born on March 3, 1926 in Gardiner, Maine, son of the late Ralph and Harriet (Marshall) Swift. He began his schooling in Maine, but was drafted right out of high school. Mr. Swift served with the United States Army from July 1944 to June 1946 in the 52nd Field Artillery Battalion and had been stationed overseas for much of his time in the service. Upon returning to the U.S., Mr. Swift also served briefly in a military police unit before being honorably discharged.
Mr. Swift went home to Maine but soon moved to the Hartford, CT area. In 1947, he worked briefly as a machinist at Pratt and Whitney while finishing his education at Hartford State Technical School and the Morse School of Business. In 1951, Mr. Swift returned to Pratt Whitney where he continued working as a Quality Analyst in the Purchasing Department, and as an Engineer in the Castings Department. He travelled extensively throughout the country while working on manymilitary and civilian aircraft projects with Pratt Whitney and retired in 1983. In addition to his regular duties, Mr. Swift also worked as a part time police officer on the East Hartford Connecticut Police Department from 1950 to 1978.

Mr. Swift had been a resident of Rindge and Jaffrey since 1990. He enjoyed being outdoors, hunting, fishing, and boating, and had owned several boats through the years. He also had hobbies involving precision like photography, shooting, and archery, and was an avid fan of all of the New England sports teams, with his favorites being the Red Sox and the Patriots. He enjoyed lighthouses, westerns and in particular, the Native American culture, but most of all he cherished time spent with his family.

Mr. Swift was preceded in death by his wife and best friend of over 63 years, Christine Scarmeas Swift, on September 4, 2010.
He is survived by his daughter Virginia H. Pease of Manchester CT; his son Bradford G. Swift of Rindge; two grandchildren Michael Pease of Manchester CT and Deborah A. Pease of West Hartford CT; a great-granddaughter Ellie Potter of West Hartford CT; and many cousins and close friends.

A graveside service will be held on Monday May 16th, 2011 at 1:00 PM at Hillside Cemetery on Goddard Road in Rindge, NH.

At Mr. Swifts request, there will be no calling hours.

A memorial gathering and celebration of Mr. Swifts life will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 11:00 2:00 PM at Mr. Swifts home, 229 Robbins Road, Rindge, NH