Richard H. (Dick) Swift, 83, of Westbrook, died Nov. 5 at Sedgewood Commons in Falmouth after a long illness.
Born in Jefferson on June 9, 1925, Dick was the son of Blaine and Margaret Swift. He was one of five children in the Swift family and worked on the family’s small farm taking care of the farm’s many dairy cows and helping to grow the family’s food. Upon graduating from Lincoln Academy in 1944, Dick served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was assigned to the Third U.S. Army as part of a tank destroyer unit. Dick spent time in a military hospital after being injured in the battle known as the “Battle of the Bulge”. After the war ended, Dick spent time doing garrison duty in the liberated city of Vienna, Austria. He returned to civilian life in the United States after this assignment. Using his extensive mechanical skills, Dick worked initially as an automobile mechanic in South Portland and then became an elevator mechanic. Dick worked for many years at Pine State Elevator, working his way up into a management role in charge of the service and repair of many elevators in and around Maine. Dick retired from Pine State Elevator in 1989 and enjoyed gardening and tinkering with small engine repairs. Dick was a member of the Portland Elks Lodge #188 and Triangle Masonic Lodge #1 in Portland. He lived in Cumberland for many years with his wife Avis, moving to Westbrook in 2006.
Dick is predeceased by his brothers Theodore, William and Chester.
Dick is survived by his wife of 25 years, Avis Swift; sister, Barbara Hedden of Brentwood, N.H.; son, Richard F. Swift and wife Cindy of Windham; daughter, Cecelia McGuinness and husband Patrick of the United Kingdom; grandson, Michael McGuinness of the United Kingdom; stepson, Gordon Pulsifer and wife AnnEllen of Norwell, Mass.; stepsons, Harold E. Pulsifer III of Warren, and Philip Pulsifer of Westbrook; and several step-grandchildren.
Graveside service 1 p.m., Thurs., Nov. 13 at the Blanchard Cemetery, Winn Road in Falmouth for family and friends. There will be no visiting hours.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are through Wilson Funeral Home in Gray.
