Richard E.
Swiniuch Sr. 71, of Salem, beloved husband of
Lucille A. (Viel) Swiniuch,
prominent Salem Accountant, died Thursday morning surrounded by his family
at Salem Hospital following a short illness.
Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Louis and
Clara (Szczechowicz) Swiniuch. He was raised and educated in Salem, he
attended the former St. John the Baptist Polish Grammar School and was a
graduate of Salem High School, Class of 1957. He continued his education
and graduated from Bentley College of Accounting and Finance in 1963,
where he earned his degree in Accounting and Finance. An illustrious Salem
business man, Mr. Swiniuch began his professional career as an accountant
with Kennedy Rambler Company in Salem and Roberts Cadillac in Beverly
Farms. He matriculated to Cooper Ford in Peabody and Thomas Ford in
Beverly. All the while helping his father Louis prepare personal income
tax returns at their client’s residences. Soon thereafter he went to work
for Pioneer Bookkeeping Service in Salem. A few years later, he became the
sole proprietor and renamed the business, Swiniuch Associates Inc. His
dedication to his clients was un-paralleled and he was known for his
attention to detail.
He served his country as a member of the United States
Army from 1962 until 1968 and was honorably discharged in 1968.
A widely recognized, active resident of the City of Salem, Richie was a
long time member of the P.L.A.V., the Palmer Cove Yacht Club, the Veteran
of Foreign Wars-Post 55, the Knights of Columbus Veragua Council 76 and
the Moose Lodge, all of Salem.
Always willing to share his opinion on the state of the
City, Richie committed many years to the betterment of Salem through
political means. As a civic-minded individual, he began his political
career in 1974 and served the City of Salem for over two decades as a Ward
Councilor, Councilor-At- Large, State Representative and Mayoral
Candidate. He was also unanimously voted Salem City Council President in
1977. As a vocal visionary in the growth and development of many city
projects, many plaques bear his name; at Shaughnessy Kaplan Rehabilitation
Hospital; the Salem Police Station; the Bentley Elementary School; and in
the creation of "Swiniuch Park" in honor of his late father. He was always
steadfastly dedicated to representing the citizens of the "Great" City of
Salem. He built a well deserved reputation as a respected and incisive
political activist, commentator and confidant well beyond his years on the
city council.
He was very proud of his Polish heritage and arranged
for the Polish Tall Ships, on a few occasions to visit Salem and Boston to
participate in historical celebrations. He became very friendly with the
captains and crewmen of the ships and created lifelong friendships. He was
an avid outdoors man who enjoyed hunting, boating, fishing, history, and
genealogy. He enjoyed playing fast pitch softball as a pitcher first for
the Polish American Citizens Club, the Polish Legions of American Veterans
and Sylvania.
He will be remember for his quick wit, his steadfast
opinions, his smile, his ability to help others, his conversational acumen
and most importantly his love of his wife, children and grandchildren. In
addition to his loving wife of 48 years, Richie is survived by his
daughter, Lauri Panneton and her husband Michael of Salem, his son Richard
E. Swiniuch Jr. and his wife Lauren of Beverly, his grandchildren, Aaron
and Christopher Swiniuch and Katherine and Jaclyn Panneton, his sisters
and brothers-in-law, Carol and Walter Sikora of Peabody and Judy and Peter
Dore of Salem, his brother Louis A, Swiniuch Jr. of Salem and his uncle,
Philip "Babe" Swiniuch of Salem and several nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral will be held from The O'Donnell Funeral Home
46 Washington Sq., (At Salem Common) Salem, Wednesday at 9:15 A.M.
followed by his funeral Mass in the Immaculate Conception Church,
Hawthorne Blvd, Salem at 10 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Burial
is Private. Visiting hours Tuesday from 4 to 8 P.M. In lieu of flowers,
expressions of sympathy may be made in Richie's memory to the Disabled
American Veterans, Attention Gift Processing, P.O. Box 14301,
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45250- 0301.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Lucille Swiniuch
14 Glenn Ave
Salem, MA 01970