John Swailes

John T. Swailes, age 89, of Motley, passed away at St. Josephs Hospital in Brainerd on Wednesday October 22, 2008. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 25th, at 11:00 am at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Motley with Fr. Scott Wittkop officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Motley Public Cemetery. John was born on March 13, 1919 in Sault Ste Marie, MI to Nathan and Mary (McBride) Swailes. He grew up in Sault Ste Marie and graduated from high school in 1938 with honors. After high school he went to work for Union Carbide. On February 25, 1941 he was married to Margaret Rosvold. In 1944 he joined the US Navy and served his county aboard submarines, namely the USS Cavalla, Cabura, and the Howard W. Gilmore. After returning home in 1946 he went back to work for Union Carbide and when the Michigan plant closed he took a transfer and moved the family to Ottawa, Illinois. Upon retiring in 1977 he and Margaret moved to Motley. John was a member of St. Michaels Catholic Church, the American Legion, and the US Submarine Veterans of WWII. He served as the Director of the Sault USO and coached the Drum and Bugle Corps and Legion Baseball. He loved his family, sports of all kinds, and WWII History. John is survived by his children, Jacquey (Tom) Pateman of Bruce Mines, Ontario, John (Angela) Jr. of Oceanside, CA, and Helen (Bob) Merchant of Benedict, MN; daughter-in-law, Pris Swailes of Goodrich, MI; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters; 2 brothers; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Margaret; son Terry; 2 great-grandchildren; and 4 siblings.