Charles Paul Swan

Charles Paul Swan, 96, of Hartford, CT and Ocean Park, ME, formerly of Boston, MA passed over to the afterlife Wednesday, October 20, 2004. He died peacefully in prayer, with his family at his side. Born July 3, 1908, he lived a good long life and now joins a large host of friends and relatives, including his parents Dr. Horace Cheney and Bertha Koenig Swan, his sister Priscilla Swan Eddy and his nephew Maxson A. Eddy Jr. Charles, or Uncle Paul as we called him, was a very nice Boston gentleman and our family historian. His dedicated research traced the family back to the 17th century. He was especially proud to be descended from noted family members, among them, his great-grandfather Judge James G. Swan, author and noted pioneer and his great-great-grandfather, Rev. Oren B. Cheney, founder and first president of Bates College in Maine. He was a member of the Ocean Park Baptist Association and attended the Asylum Avenue Baptist Church in Hartford. Mr. Swan was a life member of the Masonic Mizpah-Faith Lodge of Cambridge MA, since April 1945. He was very proud to have been awarded the 50-year veterans medal by the Senior Grand Warden of Connecticut in 1995. He was also a life member of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Mr. Swan is survived by his niece Jean Perkins Eddy of Manchester, grand-nieces Donna Comins Pike and her husband Ronald, of West Hartford, CT, Julie A. Comins of Manchester, CT , grand-nephew Patrick M. Comins and his wife Tricia of Meriden, CT, great-grand-niece Amber J. Pike and great-grand-nephews Jordan N. Pike, and Maxson P. Comins, and several cousins in Germany. Mr. Swan was a life long learner with an ever-present book or magazine in hand. He was a student at Hartford Public High, a graduate of Hebron Academy and Bates College. He loved opera and the music of Gilbert & Sullivan. He was passionate about architecture and historic preservation, a member or founding member of several societies, including the Ocean Park Historical Society, the Ocean Park Education Bureau, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Jefferson County Historical Society in Port Townsend, WA. and the Seashore Trolley Museum, in Kennebunkport, ME. During World War II, he served as a volunteer in the Boston Fire Department and assisted in efforts to fight the Coconut Grove Fire in 1942. He was an avid traveler and had visited the capitol buildings of all 50 US States and all Canadian provinces, the last trip being to Hawaii at age 87. Our family particularly wishes to thank Mr. Swan?s many kind caregivers at UCONN Geriatric Associates, Hughes Health and Rehab, UCONN Medical Center and Avery Heights. Mr. Swan will be interred in the family plot in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Boston and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Molloy Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ocean Park Historical Society, Ocean Park Maine, the Masonic Mizpah-Faith Lodge restoration fund at 1950 Mass. Ave. Cambridge MA 02140, or Audubon Connecticut 185 East Flat Hill Road, Southbury, CT 06488.

Charles Paul Swan

July 3, 1908 - October 20, 2004