Guy Swenson Obituary

FRANCESTOWN - Guy A. (Andy) Swenson Jr. of Francestown, a native of Concord, died in his sleep at home in his 92nd year Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013.

He was the son of Guy A. Swenson and Mildred (Bolan) Swenson and was educated in the Concord schools, attended the Lebanon School in New Lebanon, N.Y. and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1942. He served for four years in the Army Air Corps during World War II spending two years in India and China with Army Airways Communications System as a Cryptographic Security Officer. Following the War, he graduated from Harvard Law School and in 1951, joined the Concord law firm then known as Sulloway, Piper, Jones, Hollis and Godfrey. He practiced with that firm and its successors, retiring as a partner in 1985 and serving as counsel to the firm until his retirement in 2004. In the 1950's, a young lawyer was expected to learn to practice in many fields but Mr. Swenson gravitated to the areas of banking law and real estate. In his retirement as a partner, he moved into the area of trust and probate law. Rather than deal in litigation, he preferred to show clients how to stay out of court. Mr. Swenson's interest and involvement in civic and charitable activities continued from his earliest days as an attorney in Concord through the rest of his life.

He was past president of the Coit House Foundation, former member of the Francestown Board of Adjustment, former member of the Land and Sanctuaries Committee of the Audubon Society of NH and a past member of the Transportation Advisory Committee of the Southwest Regional Planning Council. He was also a trustee emeritus of the Episcopal Diocese of NH and an honorary trustee of the Audubon Society of NH. During his lifetime, he was president and trustee of the Concord SPCA, the Spaulding Youth Center and the NH Council of World Affairs and a trustee of the North American Loon Fund. He also served for 11 years as a member of the Concord Board of Education and was a trustee of the Walker Lecture Fund for thirty years. He was a member of the Bow Brook Club, the Concord Yacht Club and the Snowshoe Club. He loved music, particularly informal singing around a campfire or a piano; horses and horseback riding (for 40 years in was a guest at the triangle X Ranch , Jackson Hole , Wyo., where he delighted as serving as a guide for family and friends), he loved sailing, particularly cruising in the warm waters of the Caribbean. Most of all, he loved the hills and woods of New Hampshire where he never tired of roaming in all seasons, with his binoculars, looking for birds and wild life.

An active Dartmouth alumnus, he spent over 30 years leading his class' planned giving program having served as Head Class Agent.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Mary Lindstrom; three sons, Guy Swenson of Marcellus, N.Y., Christian and Jack Swenson of Seattle; and four grandchildren, Sara, Eric, Molly and Skylar Swenson. He is also survived by his step-daughter, Kara Lindstrom-Quiter; and three step-grandchildren, Jesse and MaryRuth Whicker and Maggie Quiter. He is also survived by a sister, Elizabeth H. Swenson of Chevy Chase, Md.; and a brother, J. Malcolm Swenson of Hanover. He is also survived by his cat 'Gus".

A funeral service will be held Saturday, Sept. 14, at 2 p.m. at the Community Church - Francestown, 18 Main St., Francestown, with Pastor Beth Boisvert presiding.

Burial will follow in Cemetery #3, 2nd NH Turnpike S., Francestown.

Gifts in his memory may be made to the Dartmouth College class of 1942 Scholarship Fund, Hanover, the Concord-Merrimack SPCA, 130 Washington St., Penacook, 03303, The Audubon Society of NH, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, 03301, the Francestown, NH Fire Dept., Francestown, or your local food bank or a charity of one's choice.

Jellison Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. To view an online obituary, please visit jellisonfuneralhome.com.