Charles W. Swindell

Charles W. "Chuck" Swindell, 84, of West Hartford Connecticut, died on August 25, 2014 surrounded by loving family members after several years of bravely battling numerous illnesses. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Joan Swindell, his son David Swindell and his wife Gail Goodman of Acton, Massachusetts, his daughter Susan Swindell of Waterbury Center, Vermont and his Grandson Andrew Swindell. He is predeceased by his brother Richard Swindell and his sister, Millicent McLean. Born in Belair, Maryland on February 12, 1930, he was raised in Havre de Grace Maryland. He began a 46 year career in printing at the age of 12 when he began working at the Havre de Grace Record. He loved the printing industry and witnessed the industry progress from hand set type off the "California Box" to offset printing to digital word processing. He served as a Russian translator in Kyoto, Japan during the Korean War. After the war, he attended Carnegie Mellon and graduated with a Degree in Printing Management in 1957. He married Joan Schotta, the love of his life, in 1956. They moved to West Hartford, Connecticut in 1962. He was employed at the Traveler's Insurance Company where he directed their printing department at the time of his retirement in 1988. After he retired, he and his wife spent many years enjoying Elder Hostels at a variety of National Parks as well as many trips to Maine where they loved both the lakes and the ocean. After retirement, he was also involved in the West Hartford Youth Soccer program and volunteered at John Dempsey Hospital. A longtime Baltimore Oriole fan, he was comforted by knowing that the Orioles led the American League East at the time of his death. The family wishes to thank the staff of Hartford Hospital, Gentiva Home Health and especially Dr. Mark E. Dailey for skilled and compassionate care. A private funeral service will be held at Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, West Hartford. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center, 80 Fisher Drive, Avon, Connecticut 06001 or The Museum of Printing, 800 Massachusetts Avenue • North Andover, Massachusetts 01845. For online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.