Obituary of Joseph L. Swank

FORT PLAIN – Mr. Joseph L. Swank, age 74, of Stone Arabia Road, passed away on Thursday evening, September 23, 2021, at St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam, New York. He was born on January 18, 1947, in Little Falls, New York, a son of the late DeForrest “Bob” and Evelyn (Cotton) Swank and was a graduate of St. Johnsville High School. He was a Vietnam veteran, United States Army and served our country from 1967 until 1973. Joe was an electrician for many years with Beech-Nut in Canajoharie, having retired from there. He loved to fish with his buddy Bob Borst and was fond of playing cards, especially pitch tournaments. He was a volunteer with the St. Johnsville Fire Department and the St. Johnsville Ambulance. He was an avid hunter and motorcycle rider as well. He is survived by his family, his loving wife, Myra L. (White) Bailey; his children, Jon/Trisha Swank, of St. Johnsville, Joe/Renee Swank, of St. Johnsville, Doug Swank (Angela), of St. Johnsville and Tracey/Michael Souza, of Fort Plain; his siblings, Carol/Joe Patterson, of St. Johnsville, Richard (predeceased)/ Rosemary Swank, of Rhode Island, Ellen Patterson/Herbert(predeceased), of Fort Plain/Pine Lake, and grandfather, to Crystal (predeceased), Kristin, and Abby, Emily and Erica, Jacob and Zack, Cameron and Karissa; and great-grandchildren, Leydon, Maddox, and Paradise. He also leaves stepchildren, Roger, Michael, Jenny, Greg and George and special mention to Taz and all of their children; and several nieces and nephews and In-Laws. We would also like to mention his beloved dog, “Oreo.” He was also predeceased by his widow, Nancy Swank. Funeral services with full military honors will be held on Monday, September 27, 2021, at 10:00 AM, at The Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center Street, in St. Johnsville, New York, with Rev. David A. Johnson, officiating the funeral. Interment will follow at West St. Johnsville Cemetery. Calling hours for friends and relatives will be held on Sunday, September 26th, from 4PM until 7PM, at the funeral home as well. Joe was a longtime member of the St. Johnsville American Legion and we ask the members to offer their condolences in a body at the funeral home on Sunday evening at 5:00 PM and they will join us at the cemetery on Monday as well. We are grateful. If you plan to attend the calling hours or funeral services, a face mask will be optional. Thank you. Those who wish to remember Joe in a special way are asked to consider a donation in his memory to the Alzeheimer’s Association of Central New York, 441 W. Kirkpatrick St., Syracuse, NY 13204. We will provide envelopes at the funeral home for this purpose. Joseph’s family has established the funeral arrangements with the Enea Family Funeral Home, of St. Johnsville, NY, located at 9 Center Street, Funeral Directors Harry J. & Kevin E. Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia (518) 568-2300. “God is in all our tomorrows.”