Douglas W. “Doug” Swift

Douglas W. “Doug” Swift, age 79, of Dubuque, IA, completed his earthly journey on March 26, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque.  To honor Doug’s life, Celebrations of Life will be held in Iowa and New Hampshire at a later date.  Burial will be in the Hope Utah Cemetery in Galesburg, IL. and in the Cemetery on the Plain in Windham, N.H.  The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Doug’s family.

 

Doug was born on February 2, 1944, in Fall River, MA, a son to Lawrence B. and Elaine E. (Lepage) Swift.  After high school, Doug went on to honorably serve his country with the U.S. Air Force from 1962-1966.  When he had returned to civilian life, Doug eventually made his way into a career as a project manager for the Digital Equipment Corporation where he spent most of his working years and eventually retired in 2002.  He also enjoyed remodeling homes over the years and was proud to have built one of his own homes, as well as completing his final home to enjoy with Kristine by his side here in Dubuque.  Doug enjoyed traveling whenever possible and was quite content to finally retire to Naples, FL, when the time arrived.  He decided to keep himself busy on a part-time basis at the golf courses around the area all while enjoying the time and the people he met along the way.  Doug never met a stranger and his heart was a big as could be.  His kind and generous spirit was always on display and his positive attitude had the instant ability to turn anyone’s day around who crossed his path that day.  Doug was also a naturally gifted artist who enjoyed painting portraits of family and friends canine companions as well as blessing his family and friends with a custom made Christmas card each year.  Doug loved life, his family, and the opportunity to make the world a better place when the moments arose.  His legacy will surely live on for generations to come in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved him.  Our hearts possess an empty Doug shaped hole today, but we know and trust that in time, the abundance of memories which he leaves behind will help to heal those scars.  Thank you, Doug, for leading by example and may peace be yours now as we must wait patiently for our eternal reunion to eventually arrive in time.        

 

Those left behind to cherish the memory of Doug include,

 

the love of his life,

Kristine Smith, Dubuque, IA;

 

his adored children,

Samantha (Ron) Smith, East Bethel, MN,

Sidney Swift, Attleboro, MA,

Shawn Swift, Manchester, NH,

and Jennifer (Donald) Kessler, Barrington, NH;

 

his 5 grandchildren;

 

his 2 great-grandchildren,

 

his four brothers,

Ralph Swift, Crossville, TN,

Leslie (Rosemary) Swift, Port St. Lucie, FL,

Bryon (Joan) Swift, Madison, CT,

and William (Esperanza) Swift, Miami, FL;

 

along with numerous extended family, friends, and neighbors.

 

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister-in-law, Connie Swift.

 

In honor of Doug’s love for dogs, memorials may be made in his name to the Dubuque Humane Society, 4242 Chavenelle Road, Dubuque, IA, 52002.

 

Online condolences may be shared with Doug’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com

To honor Doug’s life, Celebrations of Life will be held in Iowa and New Hampshire at a later date.  Burial will be in the Hope Utah Cemetery in Galesburg, IL. and in the Cemetery on the Plain in Windham, N.H.

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