Home | Mission & Goals | Meeting Schedule | Search | Contact Us | Submit A Story | Links

 Mr. James Swiney

As originally published on Wednesday, January 12, 2005

James Robert Swiney, 79, of Emmitsburg, died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2005, at his home. He was born on Jan. 11, 1925.

He was preceded in death by Jean Louise Swiney, his wife of 44 years, in April of 2000; son-in-law, Michael Eric Miller, 39, in April 2001; and father, James Batson Swiney.

Originally from Bessemer, Ala., he served in World War II in the U.S. Navy in the European, Pacific and Phillippine Theaters from Jan. 19, 1942, until receiving an honorable medical discharge on Jan. 25, 1946.

His mother, Charleie Ray Marsh, who also preceded him in death in January 2002, at the age of 95, also served in the waves. They were the first mother and son to serve in the U.S. Navy during war time.

After returning from New Zealand, and recovering from a shattered hip in 1946, he attended Benjamin Franklin University receiving his bachelor's and master's degrees in commercial science, while working full time driving for Gray Line Tours in Washington, D.C. He was employed as an accountant and ultimately salesman at Custom Carpet of Rockville. His son fondly remembers the 1776 Freedom train, the new Air Force 1 and exploring the various embassies in D.C. that were a few of the jobs he was involved in during his career. He prepared taxes for numerous businesses and individuals in the area. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Kensington. He was an avid football fan.

He married Jean L. Sholl on Sept. 27, 1956. He was a devoted husband and father of three children, Meredith Miller of Brunswick, Malcolm S. Swiney and wife Lori of Cascade, and Celeste and husband Chris Boswell of Fugway Varina, N.C.

He is survived by six grandchildren, Michael Knott Swiney, Jonathan and Zadok Miller, and Caleb, Caitlin and Chloe Boswell; and two great-grandchildren, Patrick and Mikayla Swiney.

He will also be remembered by close family friends, Bob Hughes of Fairfield, Pa., and Richard Morrow of Emmitsburg.

His children considered it an honor to be raised by such loving parents.

Thanks Dad, Meredith, Malcolm and Celeste.

Interment will be held at the convenience of the family, with arrangements being handled by Resthaven and Jeffrey Zumbrun of Sykesville.


If you knew this individual, and would like to see them remembered in the next History of Emmitsburg, Please send us any stories or anecdotes about them to us at: history@emmitsburg.net