PAUL A. SWEARINGEN

     Paul A. Swearingen, 60, of Worcester, beloved son, brother, uncle, and cousin, died Friday, July 22nd in UMass Memorial Hospital. His beloved mother, Carmela A. (Bertone) Swearingen, died in 2004 and his father, Samuel A. Swearingen, died in 1969. He is predeceased by his beloved brother, Samuel P. Swearingen (d. 2006) and beloved sister, Mary G. Babbidge (d. 2013). He leaves a beloved sister and guardian, Nancy Swearingen Sullivan of North Easton. He loved his nephews, Samuel Swearingen of Alexandria, VA, Michael Swearingen of Larkspur, CO; his sister in law, Elaine (Zmayefski) Swearingen of Larkspur, CO; his nephew, Robert Babbidge of Millbury; and his niece, Lisa Babbidge of Oxford. He also leaves his beloved uncle, Richard Battelle of Worcester; 4 first cousins, 6 great nephews and 3 great nieces, and many relatives and friends.

Paul was born in Worcester, the son of Samuel A. and Carmela A. (Bertone) Swearingen and graduated from Our Lady of Mercy School. He attended sheltered workshops and espcially benefited from the programs that were developed by the Worcester Area Association for Retarded Citizens in the 1970’s and those at the Seven Hills Foundation later in life. He worked at UMass Medical Center on Lake Avenue in the EBS department for 22 years, retiring in 2004. He received awards for his work, including employee of the year, and articles were written about his wonderful manner with people and his work ethic, in the hospital’s newsletter. Paul was an active member of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish where he served as an altar server for over 20 years. Paul was active in many activities sponsored by the WAARC of Worcester. He loved sports and avidly followed the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots, with his favorite college football team being “the fighting Irish” of Notre Dame. He had many hobbies, including bowling, movies, dancing, and antique cars. He loved his family most of all, and brought them, and all who knew him, sunshine and his special spirit of life which radiated to his larger family and friends. All who knew him loved him. In his later life, Paul lived in a wonderful medical group home where he thrived with the beautiful care and friendship he received.

The funeral is Wednesday, July 27th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, with a Mass at 11:00 A.M. in St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 5 Spaulding Street. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Friends and family may visit from 9:30 until 10:30 A.M. Wednesday in the funeral home. Contributions in Paul’s memory may be made to Special Olympics Massachusetts, 512 Forest Street, Marlborough, MA 01752 or Seven Hills Foundation Adult Day Health Program, 81 Hope Avenue, Worcester, MA 01603.