John MacDonald Swan

John MacDonald Swan, 85, of Rye, NH died suddenly at his residence June 29, 2001. He was born in Hamilton, Ontario on January 22, 1916, the son of the late Robert and Agnes (Speirs) Swan. John was employed by The Dunlop Tire and Rubber Company in Tonawanda, New York from 1939 where he began as a shift worker until his retirement in 1974, when he was Plant Manager. After his retirement, he and Dorothy moved to Rye, NH where they and their daughters had enjoyed many happy vacations. He was a life long Mason and past president of the Rye Golden Age Club. John was a man of many interests and accomplishements. He studied agriculture at Rutgers University, working with Professor Blake who developed the Rutgers tomato variety. He played the violin, enjoyed classical music, loved animals, read widely and traveled extensively in Europe as well as having visited every state in the Union. John was a capable home builder, having built two houses, and enjoyed using his carpentry skills on his own home, as well as the homes of his daughters. He was always happy to go with anyone who wanted to look at new cars, as he had a great interest in automobiles, and he helped his daughters select their cars. He was devoted to his famiy and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Mr. Swan was the widow of Dorothy (Cott) Swan. Family members include two daughters Rosemary Cott Swan of Lebanon, Maine and Mrs. Norton George (Heather Swan) Miller of Troy, New York, a grandson Andrew David Miller of Troy, New York, his long time companion Bertha Duke of Rye, NH. In accordance with his wishes, there will be no funeral service. Donations may made in his memory to the Animal Welfare Society, P.O. Box 43, West Kennebunk, ME 04094 or to the American Heart Association, 20 Merrimack Street, Manchester, NH 03101.