Kevin Swift

Kevin W. Swift, 60, of South New Berlin, passed away on Monday, September 8, 2014 at the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA.

Kevin was born in Phillipsburg, NJ, on June 9, 1954, the son of Kenneth and Leona Kott Swift (of South New Berlin – originally from Changewater, NJ). Kevin graduated from Warren Hills High School in Washington, NJ, and attended Syracuse University and SUNY Morrisville receiving his degree in Public Health Technology (Environmental Health). In September of 1983, in Lebanon, NY, he married Julie Slater. In earlier years, Kevin worked as a water treatment plant operator for the City of Norwich and NYS Camp Pharsalia.

While in high school, Kevin enjoyed sports playing both football and baseball. He also enjoyed working at the family business: “Stewarts Root Beer Drive-In” as a car hop in Washington, NJ.

Kevin loved spending time with his family, whether taking camping trips, fishing, long walks through the woods, trips to the Adirondack mountains, going to auctions, listening to his boys play music and everyday activities with his sons. He was devoted to his family and very proud of his sons. Kevin also was an avid Syracuse fan and he loved playing golf, landscaping and spending time on the farm. He was a very loving, generous person with a compassionate heart for anyone in need.

Kevin was the loving husband of Julie Swift, of South New Berlin. He is also survived by his three sons, Christopher, Zachary and Matthew Swift, all of South New Berlin; his father, Kenneth Swift, of South New Berlin; his brother, Joseph Swift and wife, Marianne, of Lake Placid, FL and his sisters, Kathleen Stewart and husband Joseph, of Norwich, NY and Susan Carr and husband, Dennis, of Oneonta, NY; sister-in-law, Sherry Slater Angle, of Norwich and mother-in-law, Laura Slater, of Oxford, NY; aunt Jane and uncle Frank Duryea, of Changewater, NJ and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Kevin was predeceased by his mother, Leona Swift and father-in-law, Clarence Slater.

Friends and family may call at the Wilson Funeral Home on Saturday, September 13, 2014 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 2:30 at the funeral home with Rev. Larry Bailey of the Church of Christ in Sidney, NY officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, South New Berlin.

Contributions in memory of Kevin may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 1480, Syracuse, NY 13201.