Obituary of Paul E Swan

Paul Swan, 62, passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2017 while visiting a good friend at his camp. Paul was born in Clinton on February 6, 1955, the son of Edward C. and Rhoda Bailey Swan. He was raised and educated in Clinton, New York, graduating from Clinton High School in 1973. It is said the greatest epitaph a man can have is for others to say, "He was a good man". Paul was a good man. In his younger years, Paul, in an amazing road trip, explored all 50 states. He worked a wide variety of jobs along the way to support his travels. Later Paul spent significant parts of his working life as an EMT and as an MRI tech. The most important job in his life, though, was the almost 20 year commitment he made to caring for his mother at her home. It was a true labor of love. The two shared a very special bond. He was an exceptionally patient, kind and thoughtful caregiver. Paul's siblings remain grateful and blessed by his extraordinary acceptance of this role, the sacrifices he made and the high level of care he provided to our mother. In addition, for many years Paul was very involved as a volunteer in the Jamaica Project of the Medical Relief Foundation alongside his friends Dave DeLucia (Jamaica Project Coordinator) and volunteer and friend Mo Lupia. This work was near and dear to Paul's heart. A lifelong outdoorsman and woodsman, his love of the Adirondacks in particular, was instilled in him as a child by his parents. He thoroughly enjoyed his woodland adventures of camping, hiking and boating with friends. Paul's thirst for knowledge in many diverse fields was fueled by his endless curiosity and natural inquisitiveness. He always eagerly asked a lot of questions intrigued by what it was, how it worked, how it was made, etc. He was meticulous in any project he decided to undertake. Paul was also a master gardener who delighted the neighborhood with an ever changing kaleidoscope of colors and flowers from Spring until Fall. Gardening was a true love of his. Paul was a highly intelligent, thoughtful and gentle man. He loved talking to people and had the unique ability to make a friend of any stranger. He was both an interested and an interesting man. He touched so very many lives in simple yet profound ways. We loved him. We are sad. We are missing him. He was our brother, our cousin, our uncle, our friend. Our Paul. Paul is survived by his siblings, Shirley Swan of Clinton, NY, John Swan and his wife Kathy of Henrietta, NY and Susan Simon and her husband, Rich of Otego, NY. He also leaves a treasured niece and nephew and their children, Aubrie Swan Sein, her husband Andrew and their sons Evan Bailey and Connor John of Bronx, NY and David Swan, his wife (JoAnna) and their daughter Lilah Rose of Webster, NY, Paul is also survived by cousins Dorothy Swan of Clinton, NY, Marion Swan (Tom) of Ridgewood, NY, Eric Bailey of Winter Haven, FL and Shirley (Swan) Courington of Alabama. Paul is also survived by special longtime friends Art Plantz, Dave DeLucia and Mo Lupia. Private services will be held for the family. He will be buried in Crown Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the family to be used to support a favorite project of Paul's in Jamaica.