Swanson, William M.

William M. Swanson of Canton, formerly of Newtown, CT, passed away after a long illness June 15, a month short of his 90th birthday, at Norwood Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Born on July 18, 1926, in Danbury, CT, he graduated from Danbury High School, Arnold College in Bridgeport, CT, and earned his master’s in education from Bridgeport University. He was a proud Navy veteran of World War II, serving as a radioman.

After being discharged from the Navy he began a long career in education. Bill was the director of athletics and a physical education teacher at Bethel High School in Bethel, CT, for 40 years before retiring in 1992. He was a longtime member of the Ridgewood Country Club in Danbury, the American Legion Post 100 in Bethel, and the former director of the Danbury War Memorial.

Over the years he helped shape the lives of countless students in the Bethel school system, and in honor of his many years of service to the community the Bethel High School gymnasium was recently named after him. Bill was also a recipient of the Danbury Old Timers Association Award and was an inductee into the Bethel High School Hall of Fame. He was a sports enthusiast and an avid fly fisherman, hunter and outdoorsman.

Beloved husband for 58 years of Charleen M. (Steck). Father of W. Jon Swanson of Charlestown and Kirsten M. Fitzgerald and her husband, Brian, of Canton. Proud grandfather of Kyle and Carly Fitzgerald of Canton. Brother of the late Olga Heering and George and Albert Swanson. Uncle of William G. Heering and his wife, Anne Marie, of Bethel, CT, and Gloria Sudora of Southbury, CT.

Funeral mass in St. Gerard Majella Church in Canton Thursday (today) at 10 a.m. Burial Canton Corner Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Canton Veterans Services Department, 801 Washington St., Canton, MA 02021. Arrangements by the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington Street. For guestbook, see dockrayandthomasfuneralhome.com.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Jun 24 2016. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.