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
