Kenneth B Swift

Kenneth B. Swift “Ken”, 92, Korean War veteran, was born May 26, 1931, in Hanover, MA, and died on November 6, 2023. The son of immigrants from Western Ukraine, Anthony G Swiszewski and Helen A (Kavetsky) Swiszewski. He grew up in Worcester and attended South High School class of 1949.  In 1951, Ken became a proud Marine, joining the Corp and serving in Korea during the war’s final year. He was a sergeant in the 1st Marine Division, trained as an armorer, but in Korea was charged with handling explosives and other ordinance supplied to Marine units near Panmunjom. He was there when the Korean Armistice was signed on July 27, 1953.

Later in life Ken returned as a guest of the South Korean government several times and was the first American to be named an honorary South Korean Marine. He was a former Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Korean War Veterans Association of Central Massachusetts and played a major role in the effort to create the Korean War Memorial in Worcester. Sheriff Guy Glodis and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito presented him with the Veterans Service Award in August 2005.

Ken graduated from Worcester State University in 1965 with a master's in teaching and taught industrial arts in Framingham, Shrewsbury, and Natick schools for twenty years. His second career was as an investment consultant. Active until the last few years, Ken loved to work in his yard, go on bike rides, and visit his friends. A master snowman builder, his frozen people often reached over 12 feet in height and regularly made local news.

He was predeceased by his two brothers, Edgar A Swift in 2009, Dr. Clyde A Swift in 1997, and his wife of 48 years, Barbara (Avery) Swift, in 2006. He leaves his son Allon (Linda) Swift of Milbury; two daughters, Linda A Swift of Shrewsbury and Pamela J Green of Silverdale, WA; four grandchildren, Nicole Miller, Adam (Hannah) Green, Kristen Green, and Benjamin Green; two great-grandsons, Hunter Green, and Logan Green; and many nieces and nephews.

Burial will be private, and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial remembrances in Ken’s name can be made to the Central Massachusetts, Korean War Memorial, 54 Foster Street, Worcester, 01608, or the Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, Ma. The MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St is honored to serve the Swift family once more.