Kenneth W. Swift

Kenneth W. “Ken” Swift, 94, of Amblerville, NY passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at the NYS Veterans’ Home in Oxford, NY. Born as the youngest of three on May 7, 1930 to William and Aldona (Czarnomski) Swift in Staten Island, NY. Ken moved with his family, along with his brother Lawrence (1926 - 2001), and sister Jane (Duryea) (1927 - 2016), to Staten Island, NY and then to Changewater, NJ.

Ken graduated from Washington High School in 1948, after which he enrolled in the US Navy where he proudly served until 1952. After which time Ken met his wife Leona “Lee” Kott and married on September 12, 1953 in St. Peter and Paul's Church in Great Meadows, NJ. They remained married until her passing in 2003. Ken and Lee raised four children - Kevin, Kathleen, Joseph, and Susan. 

Ken found great satisfaction in coachIng youth sports teams in the area including baseball and wrestling and helped found (and construct) the Hilltop Baseball Field in Washington Township, NJ. His love for sports continued throughout his life, enthusiastically coaching and cheering on both his children and grandchildren across a variety of sports and activities. He also remained an avid fan of both professional baseball (Dodgers, Mets) and football (Jets, Giants) and Syracuse University (football, basketball).

Ken volunteered for many years with the Washington Township Fire Department as a founding member of the organization. 

Along with his brother, Lawrence, Ken owned and operated Stewart’s Root Beer Stand in Washington, NJ from 1955 - 1972, and “Swift Brothers'' – a leather goods production company with a focus on camera and instrument cases, which moved along with the brothers to Amblerville, NY in 1972. The brothers purchased a farm which housed the families, their mother, and their business; they also began farming the land, raising beef cattle and growing a variety of produce items. They sold sweet corn and other vegetables with the assistance of their families at their well-known roadside stand along Route 23 in Amblerville, NY.

Ken served for many years on the Chenango County Fair Board. He found pleasure in his service to the annual county celebration. 

Ken was a man of faith and enjoyed attending regular services and singing hymns at the Church of Christ in South New Berlin. He dedicated time to reading and studying scripture at home daily. 

Ken married Firn Jaycox of New Berlin, NY on October 27, 2018. Adding to Ken’s family five stepsons, 11 step-grandchildren, and 14 step-great grandchildren. Firn and Ken enjoyed the years they had together, spending time on the farm and with each other's families. 

Ken is survived by his wife, Firn Swift; and his children, Kathleen Deady and husband Richard, Joseph Swift and wife Marianne, daughter Susan Carr, and daughter-in-law Julie Beyer. Ken was the proud grandfather to ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Swift, son-in-law, Dennis Carr, and son-in-law, H. Joseph Stewart.

Family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate Ken's life on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Calling hours will take place at the Wilson Funeral Home, 68 South Broad Street, Norwich, NY, from 10: 00 a.m. – 12: 00 p.m., followed by a funeral service from 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. A luncheon will take place immediately following the service at the Northeast Classic Car Museum, 24 Rexford St. Norwich, NY.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted with John Antonowicz of the Wilson Funeral Home.