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Richard C. “Dick” Swan Sr.

Richard Carmon “Dick” Swan Sr., formerly of Clinton, Old Saybrook, Madison, and most recently Branford, was born on May 3, 1940, and passed away peacefully, his family at his side, on May 5, 2023.

He was predeceased by his parents, Stillman A. Swan, Sr. and Florence Carmon Swan. He leaves behind four sons, Richard C. Swan Jr. of Old Saybrook, Brent Swan of Clinton, Jason Swan of Branford, and Blake Swan of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; two daughters, Karen Swan-Bodiford of Clinton and Marla Parker of Clermont, Florida; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Dick is also survived by his two brothers, Stillman A. “Butch” Swan of Madison and Carl Swan of Clinton; his former wife Mary Ellen and her many sisters that he cherished his relationship with. He was predeceased by his first former wife, Linda. Dick spent his final years in the companionship of his caregivers, Melecia and Annie, and the family is forever in their debt.

Together with his brothers, Dick was a partner and third-generation funeral director and embalmer at the Swan Funeral Homes Inc. in Clinton, Madison, Old Saybrook, Deep River, and Moodus. Dick spent every day and every night assuring he provided comfort and care to those in mourning. Moreover, there was neither a skill nor job Dick didn’t have. He spent eight years in the Army National Guard after graduating from Morgan High School Class of 1958 in Clinton and The McAllister School of Embalming in New York, 1959.

Dick was one of a kind. He lived life, and he lived it large. During his illustrious career, he was also a retired sergeant for the Clinton Beach Patrol and a Patrolman for Clinton Police Department after 35 years of service. He was a volunteer for the Clinton and Old Saybrook Fire Department and the Old Saybrook Ambulance. He was a member of the Old Saybrook Rotary, Old Saybrook Cemetery Commission, and Westbrook Elks Lodge. He was on the board for the Old Saybrook Nursing Association and served on the board of directors for the Essex Savings Bank for many years. He was a long-time member of the Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club, where he was a past president. He also served on the Connecticut Board of Examiners of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. After retirement, he remained active in managing the Stony Creek Medical building and others around Branford.

Everyone knew Dick, and to know him was to love him. While he was the Former president of the Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club, he was their forever “mayor.” Not a summer day will pass where his presence isn’t missed. We will forever be waiting for him to do his laps along the back circle, surveying the action and giving his biggest wave. He loved the Club and his countless friends there- the staff as much as the members.

Dick was charismatically down-to-earth yet touched the lives of everyone he encountered. He inspires us to live life to its fullest and to do so with his kindness, sincerity, and endless luster.

Celebrations of his life will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 12, at W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 N Main Street, in Branford, and from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at the Swan Funeral Home, 80 East Main St. in Clinton. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 54 Grove St. in Clinton. Burial will be at Indian River Cemetery in Clinton with full Military Honors. Funeral arrangements are under the care of his brother Carl Swan and Hamden Memorial Funeral Home, 1300 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden. Memorial contributions may be made to the Branford Fire Department, 45 N. Main St., Branford, CT 06405, with “In Memory of Dick Swan” in the memo. Condolences may be expressed at www.amdenmemorialfuneralhome.com.