Richard Guy Swett

Richard Guy Swett, 84 years old, passed peacefully on May 11, 2020 at Brigham Health and Rehabilitation Center in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Richard was born July 15, 1935 in Ponca City, Oklahoma to Guy and Anna Swett. He had an older sister, Anita (1934-2014). When he was a child, his family moved to Wichita, Kansas, where his father owned and operated a gas station on Waters Street. Growing up, Richard worked at his father’s station and learned how to repair cars. His skill for mechanical tinkering and repair led him to work for Boeing Aircrafts repairing airplanes and later for Allied Signal as a technician. In 1965, he married Dorothy S. Hoops (1943-2007) just two days after his 30th birthday. His job transferred him to Salem, Massachusetts, so he and Dorothy moved to Essex, Massachusetts just a few months after their marriage. Adjusting to life in New England was not easy for the Midwestern couple, but they eventually settled in the small town of Georgetown, Massachusetts in 1972. Dorothy and Richard started a family and spent their life together in Massachusetts. They continued to travel to the Midwest to see family throughout their lives. Richard is remembered for his love of fixing anything broken, reading (especially Louis L’Amour books), opera and flash mobs, and researching his ancestry. It is through his research that he discovered his family’s link to John Swett, who immigrated to Massachusetts from England in the early 1600’s and whose children (John Jr. and Stephen) were instrumental in establishing the town of Newbury, Massachusetts. The historic building, the Swett-Ilsley house was built by Stephen Swett in 1670 and still stands in Newbury today. The irony of accidentally returning to the original area of his family’s lineage struck Richard with humor and fascination.

Richard is survived by his three adult children – son Darryl of Georgetown, Massachusetts, daughter Dedra of Tampa, Florida, and daughter DruAnne of Aurora, Missouri. He is also survived by his nephew Sam Drake of San Jose, California, grand nieces, and many cousins.

Services and burial will be private, the Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950 is assisting Mr. Swett’s family with his funeral arrangements.

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