Plankowner
Posts: 5024
Location: Gulfport, MS | Subject: Wednesday Obits
HAM, Edward Albert, 97, of Peterborough, N.H., passed away peacefully at his home at River Mead on Dec. 6, 2020. He was born in Bridgeport, Conn. on Sept. 14, 1923, the son of Frank and Grace (Johnstone) Ham. Ed considered himself a New Englander. He was a lifelong Red Sox fan. After his formative years in Connecticut, Ed attended Tufts University for undergraduate studies and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he received a Doctorate degree in Biological Chemistry. He was a very successful multi-sport college athlete excelling in basketball, baseball, and squash. He earned MVP honors for The Tufts basketball team. Ed enjoyed beating the pants off anyone who would play him in squash well into his 80’s. Always with a smile…. We are all proud of his service in defense of our country as a Naval Officer leading submarine crews into battle in the depths of the South China Sea during the height of WWII combat action. Those were some of his fondest memories, but he rarely spoke of the combat, rather his stories focused on the people he served with. Ed was an avid hiker, paddler, and naturalist. He loved the sea, the mountains, and the air. His adventures typically included his family whether navigating whitewater on the Allagash River, making camp in a frozen rainstorm in the White Mountains, or simply driving the VW bus all night so the family could wake up in a beautiful new location. He soloed his first airplane at the age of 72. Not a man of idle hands, Ed was an avid wood worker. Both carpenter and artist, he could build the sturdiest oak table or turn a beautiful showpiece bowl. Ed is survived by the love of his life, Marion. Ed and Marion met while they both worked at Merck Pharmaceuticals in Rahway, N.J. as research scientists in the early 1950’s. We all enjoy the significant advances in medicine credited to his team. His work was widely published in numerous professional journals. Ed and Marion married in 1953, enjoying over 67 years of happy matrimony. They raised four children, Barbara, Jennifer, Gretchen, and Ken. Their lifelong pursuit of learning is reflected in their children. All have advanced degrees and work as artist/teacher, professor, veterinarian, and astronaut. They are further survived by five grandchildren, Kyle, Kaylyn, Garrett, Ryan, and Randy. Ed will be remembered for his kind eyes, ready smile, and willingness to talk to anyone about their lives. Modesty and humility were hallmarks for this man who accomplished so much. A leader from the Greatest Generation. We miss you Dad. Services will be announced at a later date. To share a memory or leave the family a message of condolence, please visit http://www.jellisonfuneralhome.com.
SWENBECK, John David, passed away on February 10, 2021 in his home with his wife Doris by his side. Born May 11, 1935, John was a lifelong resident of Salem Willows, Salem, MA. He graduated from Salem High School in 1953 and enlisted in the US Naval Reserves, where he proudly served as a submarine torpedoman. John was a master chef. He worked alongside his parents and siblings at Swenbeck's Park Café in Salem Willows from 1947 to 1962, where he honed his craft as a chef and restaurateur. John's specialty was fresh local seafood dishes, and his fish and clam chowder are legendary. John's prime rib and turkey dinners remain family favorites. John served as Executive Chef at the Colonial Hilton in Wakefield, MA until 1983. In 1978, he had the honor of preparing dinner for then President Jimmy Carter, for which he received a personal note of gratitude. In 1984, John reopened Swenbeck's Park Café in Salem Willows, where his children and wife worked by his side. John finished his career as Chef-manager of the Grand Turk Tavern in Salem, MA, again working alongside his family. John employed many Salem youth who remember him fondly. John was a family man and he enjoyed skiing, sledding, skating and boating with his children. He enjoyed the beach and brought his family often to Good Harbor Beach and to Cape Cod for family vacations. John David Swenbeck was the beloved husband of Doris C. Swenbeck and he was the third son of Herman and Mildred Swenbeck. He was the loving brother of Robert, Paul, Fritz, and Babara Nadeau, all of whom are in heaven. John graced the earth with his children Vincent Maria, Valerie Hitunen, John Swenbeck, Jr., Kristen Swenbeck-Hamel and Amy Swenbeck-Fedele. His grandchildren adored their Grampy: Christopher Hiltunen, Evan Hiltunen, Anand Fedele, Madeline Rose Hamel, Isabella Fedele, Julian Fedele and great-granddaughter Kali Hiltunen. He lovingly embraced Scott Hitunen, Robert Hamel, Peter Fedele and Kristen Favazzza as sons and daughter. John's heart was huge, and we are blessed to call him father. Visiting Hours: The family is having a private gathering for John. Gifts in John Swenbeck's memory may be made to the Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave., Salem, MA. For more information or online guestbook, please call 978-744-0497 or visit www.murphyfuneralhome.com View the online memorial for John David SWENBECK Published in Boston Globe from Feb. 17, 2021.
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Wednesday Obits
