BANGOR – The Rev. Gerald W. Swetnam, 85, loving husband of Barbara Wilson Ewer Swetnam, died July 20, 2005, at a local hospital after a long illness, with his wife and family by his side, and went to his heavenly home to be with his precious Lord and Savior. Gerald was born Nov. 23, 1919, in Spring Hill, Nova Scotia, Canada, the son of the Rev. John and Amy (Prowse) Swetnam. When he was young he and his family moved to the U.S., later becoming a U.S. citizen. His childhood was spent in Pittsfield, N.H., and Quaker Hill, Conn., where his father had pastorates. The Swetnam family always spent summers at the New England Bible Conference Grounds at Rumney, N.H. Gerald graduated from Norwich Free Academy, Norwich, Conn., in 1939. After graduation he attended Gordon College of Theology and Missions in Boston, Mass., where he received his bachelor of arts degree of Divinity in 1974. He then went on to Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Penn., graduating in 1947 with a Bachelor of Divinity. During school years he worked as a shoe salesman. He was ordained a minister Oct. 23, 1947, and then pastored for 53 years. Gerald met his first wife, Ina Mae True of Pittsfield, at Gordon College to whom he was married for 47 years. During their marriage Ina gave her support and many talents to her husband’s ministry. After graduating from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary he pastored at First Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant, Penn., First Baptist Church in Muskegan, Mich. Other pastorates were at Flint, Mich., First Baptist Church, Perham, United Baptist Church, Topsham, Chestnut Street Baptist Church, Camden, Baptist Church in Littleton, and the last pastorate was Village Baptist Church in Kennebunkport. His first wife, Ina, passed away in 1991, in Wells, where they lived while he was pastor in Kennebunkport. He enjoyed his family, and also enjoyed meeting and talking with people, inviting people to church, being a faithful witness of his Lord and Savior. He will be remembered for never complaining, friendliness, especially his laughter, smile, out-going personality and always praising The Lord and being thankful for everything. He was a wonderful husband and father. Together with Ina they had three children, their son, John Swetnam of Port Richey, Fla.; their two daughters, Joyce Falk of Tavares, Fla., Joan Nicholis of Port Richey, Fla.; four grandchildren, John Swetnam of Calif., Gerry Swetnam of Morristown, Tenn., Amy Falk of Davison, Mich., Larisa Mead and her husband, David, of Flint, Mich.; two great-grandchildren, Lance Falk, Samantha Mead; a special daughter-in-law, Gail (Yupin) Mitchell of Jefferson City, Tenn.; sister-in-law, Marilyn (Paulsen) Swetnam of Bar Harbor; brother, the Rev. Hubert Swetnam and his wife, Virginia, of Kingston, Mass.; his sister, Marjorie Joyce of Riverside, N.J.; a stepson, Nathan Ewer and his wife, Betty, of Glenburn and their children, David and Mary Baker and family, Nathan Jr., Heidi Townsend and her husband, Brandon, Anthony Ewer and his family of Macon, Ga. In addition to his parents and first wife, he was predeceased by his brother, the Rev. Theodore Swetnam. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 22, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, July 23, at Bangor Baptist Church, Broadway, Bangor with the Rev. Dr. Jerry Mick officiating. Interment will be at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Auburn. If you would like to remember Gerald in a special way contributions may be sent to Bangor Baptist Church, 1476 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401
REV. GERALD W. SWETNAM
