Obituary of Edward Ralph Swaim

Edward Ralph Swaim, 82, of Peabody, died Saturday evening at the Rosewood Nursing Center, West Peabody following a brief illness. He was born in Statesville, No Carolina on August 11, 1926, the son of the late William and Olive (Hawkins) Swaim and was raised and educated there. He entered the US Navy in 1942 where he served in the Pacific theatre campaign and also saw action in Japan during the last days of the war. Following his discharge, he moved to East Boston where he met and married his wife and sweetheart of sixty years, Maryann (Di Bennedetto) Swaim and had resided in Peabody for the past 49 years. He had been a professional painter on the North Shore painting exterior and interior of houses for twenty five years prior to his retirement 20 years ago. He enjoyed working in his garden and going fishing in the lakes and streams of New England. Edward was a member of the national chapter of the Disabled American Veterans. Surviving him besides his wife are two sons and a daughter-in-law, Edward Swaim Jr. of Peabody and Paul and Debora Swaim of Swampscott, MA, a daughter, Elena Swaim of Somerville, MA, his two cherished grandchildren, Edward R. Swaim III and Bethany Swaim both of Peabody and many nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility. His Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 AM at the Funeral Home. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Burial will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring KY 41076 in his memory.