Fred O. Swart Obituary
Fred O. Swart, of Gloucester, MA, passed away on Sunday morning, October 31, 2021, after a short illness. Fred was born in Thetford Township, MI, on December 26, 1932, the son of the late Shirley (Ennis) and Myron L. Swart. Fred graduated from the University of Michigan Pharmacy School and later from the UofM School of Management.
He served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant. He later worked as a pharmacist in Flint, MI; Greater Manchester, UK; CT; and Boston. A world traveler and devoted reader, Fred was also a democratic socialist, clocksmith, wood worker, and keelboat sailor. He also was an amateur photographer, architect and genealogist, who designed his family's first home and wrote an essay on an ancestor and circumnavigator, published by The Journal of the Hakluyt Society.
He painted Cape Ann scenes, and his paintings hang in his children's home. Fred is survived by son Myron J. Swart of Gloucester; daughters Sarah Swart (Victor Semensi) of Gloucester and Helen (Swart) Mazarakis (Phil Mazarakis) of Malden; grandchildren Michael Semensi of NYC, Alexandra Mazarakis (Rachael Solano) of Quincy, and James Mazarakis of Quincy; and numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Elizabeth "Betty" (Lanigan St. John) Swart; daughter Gillian (St. John) Swart; granddaughter D. Elizabeth (Conway) Semensi; and sisters Sylvia Attinger and Mildred Flewelling. There will be a gathering of friends and family at 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 4, at 133 Hawthorne Street, Malden, and another gathering in the Spring concerning the disposition of Fred's ashes.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Fred's name to: The Open Door Food Network for Good, 28 Emerson Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930, or online at theopendoor.networkforgood.com. Arrangements are made by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester.
