CHARLES F. SWAN

CHARLES F. SWAN BROOKLIN – Charles F. Swan passed away May 4, 2004, after a lingering illness. Charlie was born April 25, 1937, in Abington, Mass., to William F. and Mary V. (McGee) Swan. He attended Abington schools and graduated in 1956. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was station at Kadena Air Force Base located in Okinawa. He later attended East Coast Aeronautical Technical School, in Danvers, Mass. Charlie received a degree as a licensed airplane mechanic and went to work for Eastern Airlines. In 1963 he joined the family business, Industrial Engineers Supply Company, which supplied mechanical packing products to the pulp and paper mills, textile plants, saw mills, utilities, and tanneries. He took over as president of the business in 1965 after his father’s death. In 1971 Charlie relocated the business to Bucksport, and renamed the company Industrial Packing, Inc. In 1974 he opened a branch office/warehouse facility in Longview, Wash., to better serve his West Coast customers. 1979 marked the year that he and George Champlin formed a new company called New England Braiding Co., Inc. (NEBCO) based in Manchester, N.H. NEBCO manufactures braided packings used to seal valves, pumps, turbines, and other types of industrial process equipment. Since 1982 NEBCO has acquired seven patents, six of which were for improvements in Braided Packing technology. Charlie was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. He especially enjoyed archery hunting. He has gotten a deer, 33 years total, with a bow and arrow and holds the state record of 30 years consecutive. A highlight for Charlie was being on the television show Woods & Water and being interviewed by the late Bud Leavitt. Surviving besides his wife, Joyce G. (Callaway) Swan, are two stepdaughters, Paige Callaway Johnson and her husband, William “Ed,” of Charleston, S.C., Piper G. Callaway and her fianc?, Jess Patterson, of Charleston, S.C.; a step-grandson, William Johnson of Charleston, S.C.; one brother, William Swan and his wife, Marie, of Abington, Mass.; one sister, Ruth (Swan) Gaskill and her husband, Howard, of Hooksett, N.H.; several nieces and nephews; a special cousin, Katherine Wilson and her husband, David, of Stock-ton Springs. He was pre-deceased by his mother and father; and his twin brother, Robert G. Swan. Charlie was highly respected by his employees and will be greatly missed by them, his numerous friends and business associates. In order to allow family members and friends to make arrangements to attend his services, visiting hours will not be held until 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 14, 2004, at the Healy Funeral Home, Blue Hill. Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, May 15, 2004, at the Blue Hill Congregational Church, Main Street, Blue Hill, officiated by the Rev. W. Lyman (Terry) Phillips. In Lieu of flowers, donations in Charlie’s memory can be made to the Brooklin Fire Department, P.O. Box 17, Brooklin, ME 04616 or Ducks Unlimited, Acadia Chapter, care of Jan Crofoot, 260 Salt Pond Road, Blue Hill, ME 04614. Arrangements by Healey Funeral Home, South Street, Blue Hill.