August 12, 1939 ~ October 6, 2022
George F. Swenson died on Oct. 6, 2022. He was born in Boston, MA, on August 12, 1939, to the late George and Frances (Hanson) Swenson. He moved to Reading, Massachusetts, where he graduated from Reading Memorial High School in 1957 and immediately joined the army until October 1957 and, thereafter, the Army Reserves until 1964. George graduated from the Culinary Institute of Arts in 1961, eventually working his way up to Vice President of Canteen, Inc. He married Katherine Anne Boyne in 1963 after they first met at Camp Summerset in Maine. Katherine’s first words to him were, “Who made this lousy soup? It tastes like dishwater” A bit taken back by that, he wanted to know this woman, and that would start a love that lasted 59 years of marriage.
He had a passion for cooking, fishing, and making boys, and not always in that order. He was tested over his cooking at every major meal. His wife was his biggest critic, but his boys all chimed in on what was best and what didn’t meet expectations. George knew he was in trouble when his hammers kept disappearing, leading to questions that could never fully be answered. His boys would all suggest that parents not start kids out on pickled herring and bluefish. Especially making a few of them bury the fish in the garden when the freezer broke. It was no wonder none of the boys really took to fishing. Luckily George’s grandchildren have been brought up to love fish. Gregarious, he made lasting relationships wherever he went that stood the test of time. Early on, he hosted bridge parties and gourmet events and was involved in the Wallingford CT to Wallingford England exchange program, hosting families and visiting the U.K. Even late in life, he was involved in having people visiting, whether friends from England or an international travel group that hosted people from all over. George loved his getaway house in Vermont, as did all the family. It was a great place in the summer or winter at the top of a mountain with a treacherous slope. There are many fond memories of not making it up the mountain in winter and walking up or possibly sliding off the edge into a ditch or the trees. It certainly made life exciting. Vermont had everything to offer George and his family in terms of fun adventures and relaxation.
George’s involvement with St. Paul’s Church was crucial for him as well as for everyone in the church. As senior warden, his presence made a large difference, and nobody will ever forget his famous “sky-high apple pies.” He was constantly making meals for the church up until COVID. George is survived by his wife Katherine, sons Kurt, Karl, David, and Neil, and daughters-in-law, as well as seven grandchildren. He made a difference in people’s lives and will be dearly missed.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wallingford, beginning at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends may attend a visitation on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, from 4-8 PM at the B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 S. Elm Street, Wallingford. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in George’s name to Master’s Manna, mastersmanna.org, or to St. Paul’s Church, stpaulswallingford.org. For directions or to leave a message of remembrance, please visit BaileyCares.com.
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