LELAND SWERTFAGER
NORWICH – Leland Swertfager, 87, a life long Norwich resident, passed away Wednesday morning, May 23, 2012, at his home.
Leland was born Aug. 30, 1924 in Norwich, the son of John F. and Eva B. Frink Swertfager. He grew up in Norwich and was a 1943 graduate of the Norwich High School. Soon after his graduation he entered the United States Navy, serving his country from 1943 until his honorable discharge in 1946. While serving his country he was a naval aviator and was a radio operator. Returning home in 1946, he began a long time career with the NYS Conservation Dept. He started out with the construction gang, building truck trails for the NYS Conservation Dept. He worked his way up to become a Forest Ranger, working out of the Sherburne office at Rogers Conservation Center. His territory covered Chenango and Madison counties. He retired in 1980 with the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid being his last assignment. Following his retirement, Leland worked as a custodian for the 60-Plus as well as the First Baptist Church.
Leland was a wonderful father and a good man to all who knew him. He lived his life with quiet dignity and grace. It goes without saying her was a lover of the outdoors and all it had to offer. He enjoyed his hunting and tending to his vegetable and flower gardens. A well read man, Leland would always have an opinion on any topic you wanted to discuss. Even though he would sometimes complain about the Norwich area, he always had its best interests at heart. He loved the history of Norwich, his family and the surrounding area. Leland also loved the Civil War and its history.
On June 18, 1949 in Norwich, he married Shirley Thorpe, who passed away Aug. 9, 1998.
Leland is survived by his children: Susan Lipinoga of Moravia, John (Nancy Kukulech) Swertfager of Norwich and David (Penny Ashton) Swertfager of Dansville; his sister Mary Genung of Oxford; his grandchildren: Julia (Morgan) Thompson of Ithaca, Sarah Gallo and partner Emily Gallo of Philadelphia, Christopher Lipinoga of Moravia, Danelle (Joseph) Nolan of Edmeston, PFC Heather Crandall of Montery, CA and Eric Swertfager of Dansville. Also surviving are his great grandchildren Sebastion Aceto, Mateo Gallo and Colin James Nolan; many nieces and nephews; his brother-in-law John Dolan and sisters-in-law Sally Swertfager and Mary Louise Swertfager.
Besides his wife Shirley, Leland was predeceased by his sisters Matilda and Dorothy and his brothers Fred, Charles (Chic), Hugh, Ed and James.
Leland’s family would like to extend a special thank you to these special people, Betty New who has been a very close friend for many years, his caregiver Helena Conroy and his nephew Chuck Swertfager.
A celebration of Leland’s life will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday from his home at 7 Hickory St., Norwich. All are welcome. At Leland’s request, there will be no calling hours.
Please consider memorial contributions to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815.
Arrangements are by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.