WESTFIELD: 
Donald N. Swanson, 83, of Westfield died peacefully in Margate, FL on Tuesday, March 17, 2015. Don, son of the late Helen (Pszystas) & Gustave Swanson, Stepson of the late Stanley Pohorylo and predeceased by his wife, Barbara A. (Ucas) Swanson was born in Westfield on February 19, 1932. He was raised in Westfield where he attended the Westfield Schools – Prospect Hill Elementary, the Intermediate School & graduated from Westfield High School in 1949. At Westfield High, he was a star Basketball & Baseball player. After graduating from Westfield High, he attended Monson Academy for one year on a Basketball scholarship. In 1950, he joined the Navy and was discharged on 12/30/1954. While in the Navy, he was introduced to the love of his life, Barbara. Barbara was a teacher and he saw how much she enjoyed the profession, he decided to enroll at Westfield State College where he majored in Education. In 1959, he began his 32 year career in the Westfield Public Schools teaching 6th grade at Highland Elementary School. From there, he continued his Educational career as Vice Principal at North Middle School, teaching at Southampton Road Elementary School, Principal at Prospect Hill Elementary School and retired from his career as Principal of Southampton Road Elementary School. He was very involved in volunteering in the Westfield community services including the Jaycees, Kiwanis Club, Sara Gillett Services for the Elderly, Inc. and Shurtleff Children’s Services, Inc. He was a very active member of his Church, the Episcopal Church of the Atonement and a member of the Western Hampden Historical Society. As a young man he was an avid sportsman enjoying fishing, hunting & golf. He and his wife Barbara travelled extensively throughout the United States (about 35 cross country trips) & England and enjoyed his time at Foxwoods & Las Vegas. Donald is survived by good friends, several nieces & nephews –Kevin Early and Brain Early of Connecticut, Barbara Harris of Tennessee, Susan Camp of New Hampshire, Albert Lucas, Dawn Lasko, and Kim Jones of Florida, two sisters-in-law, Marion Blake of Tennessee, Lois Ucas of Florida, Blake Camp and Sae-Jin Dion of New Hampshire, and his Godchildren, Beth Gamble of Southampton, MA, Tracy Gamble, Stuart Gamble & Martha (Gamble) Scavotto all of Westfield, MA. The memorial Service for Don will be held on Monday April 27, 2015 at The Episcopal Church of the Atonement at 11 am followed by a private family burial at the Agawam Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery. Donations in Don’s memory can be made to the Arms-Swanson Scholarship Fund c/o The Episcopal Church of Atonement, 36 Court Street, Westfield, MA 01085 or Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of Westfield, Inc., PO Box 382, Westfield, MA 01085. firtionadams.com
