Gustav Albert Swanson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Gustav Albert Swanson died peacefully with family at his side in Hartford, CT, on August 8, 2019. Gus was born May 10, 1936, in Flint, Michigan to the late Albert and Martha (Borg) Swanson. The family moved to St. Peter, Minnesota in 1947. While at St. Peter High School, Gus was on the track and debate teams, he was an Eagle Scout, and was student council president. He earned degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and served as a lieutenant in the Army. After graduating from MIT, Gus married Rosemary in West Roxbury, MA. They relocated to Connecticut where Gus worked at Pratt & Whitney for 35 years. His work included designing jet engines and helping design the fuel cell used for the first manned mission to land on the moon. Gus and Rosemary raised their family in Glastonbury, CT until 1997. They then relocated to Cape Cod and enjoyed many happy years of retirement. They later moved to Farmington to be closer to family while Gus courageously battled Parkinson’s disease. Throughout his life, Gus enjoyed traveling, woodworking, painting, sailing, and canoeing. He was a church lay leader and sang in church choirs. Gus’ greatest joy was spending time with family. Gus is survived by his wife of 61 years, Rosemary, sister Linda Fjerstad of Utah, brother Herman of Minnesota; children Marie Rath and husband William of Pennsylvania, Albert and wife Ann of Tolland, CT, Charles and partner Nicole of Pennsylvania, Helen Weigel and husband William of Maine, Richard and wife Manana of Virginia, Daniel and wife Jolie of Hartford, CT, Paul and wife Tara of Pennsylvania, and Eric and wife Sharon of Milford, CT; grandchildren Christina, Kenneth, Frederick, Lindsay, Joanne, Matthew, Brett, Sarah, Chloe, Erica, Kelsey, Jordin, Danielle, Caitlin, John, Nicholas, Benjamin, Michael, William, Peter, and Timothy; and great-granddaughter Sadie. He is survived by brothers-in-law James, Thomas, and John, sister-in-law Nel, and many nieces and nephews as well as dear friends and neighbors. Gus was pre-deceased by three special sisters-in-law Patty Swanson, Juanita Barry, and May Pon. Gus will be remembered by family and friends for his warmth, kindness, and humor. The family thanks the staff of Avon Health Care and St. Francis ICU and his private health care aids for the care and support they gave to Gus throughout his battle with Parkinson's disease. Calling hours will be Thursday, August 15 from 4 to 7 pm at Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. Funeral service will be held on Friday, August 16 at 10 am at St. Dunstan, 1345 Manchester Rd., Glastonbury, CT. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Gus’ memory can be sent to the Southern Poverty Law Center or the Parkinson’s Foundation. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com