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Obit: Donald Albert Swain

•Taken from the Dec. 12 Island Dispatch

Fri, Dec 12th 2014 04:00 pm

Donald Albert Swain, 90, of Grand Island passed away recently. He was born June 20, 1924, in Buffalo, the son of the late Fred and Mildred Swain. He was the brother of the late Edward Swain and Myown Gadikan. He is survived by his brother, Fred Swain of Texas.

Don was a graduate of Lafayette High School in Buffalo. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and served three years on the USS Chauncey DD 667 during World War II. He fought in nine battles and received 14 medals for his service. He was discharged in January of 1946.

Upon his return, he attended Buffalo State College and was enrolled in the industrial arts program. There he met and married his sole mate Eleanor Turnbull of Eden. Eleanor was studying to be a teacher. They married on June 21, 1947. They both quit school and moved to Sunset Drive on Grand Island. They had six children. Eleanor returned to school to complete her teaching degree when their youngest child, Karen, went to kindergarten. Eleanor taught at Niagara Street School in Niagara Falls of 25 years. Don was a tool and die maker at the Chevy Delevan Plant in Buffalo for 32 years. Don and El retired on the same day and enjoyed their winters in Florida, traveling and spending time with their family. Don's favorite thing was being with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Don was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He raised money for the building of the World War II monument in Washington, D.C. He traveled with his family to see the monument just before the monument was dedicated. He supported the disabled veterans. He recently applied to become a member of the Grand Island Fire Co. (thinking this would restore his driving privileges).

Don is survived by his wife of 68 years Eleanor Swain (Turnbull); four sons: Terry (the late Valerie Buckley), Paul (Martha), Donald (Susan) and the late Ronald Swain; two daughters: Kathleen (Wayne) Benton, Karen (the late Samuel) Clark and fiancé Darryl Shem; grandchildren: Wayne (Robin) Benton, Terry (Katie) Benton, Tanya Ilecki, Julie (Liebe) Swain, Kim Swain, Katie Swain, Jodie (Mike) Rudney, Paul (Alaina) Swain, Timothy (Lisbeth) Swain, Shawna (Thomas) Lester, Nikki Clark, Matthew Clark and the late Christopher Clark; great-grandchildren: Skyler and Grayson Swain; Kathleen Ilecki; Hannah, Jake and Dylan Benton; Brendon and Taylor Benton; Kaitlyn, Calli and Ella Rudney, Kobe Swain, Christopher and Kim Swain, Laura and Audrey Swain and Riley Clark.

A private service will be held Saturday, Dec. 13.

Arrangements by Kaiser Funeral Home.

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