- Date Of Birth: May 15, 1928
- Date Of Death: April 19, 2018
- State: Maryland
Glen Burnie a” Victor J. Swanson, died peacefully at home on Thursday April 19th, he was 89.
Vic is survived by his wife Elfriede, and two children: Jenny Lathrop, Susan Furniss and the late Kathy Lease. He had nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Vic’s two brother’s preceded him in death, neither of them ever married leaving him as the remaining Swanson.
Vic’s parents were Julia (Larney) and Alfred Swanson, who immigrated from Ireland and Scotland. They began working and starting a family in New York City. His parents had three boys, he being the youngest. By the age of 9 both of his parent’s had died the boys where split up and Vic, now an orphan, was raised by Catholic priests initially in Brooklyn, then later in Long Island. He was raised with faith in God, proper manners and honor for the country. His love of country, bravery and desire to get out on his own, propelled him into enlisting into the US Army at the age of 17 (somehow he was able to have the Army believe he was 18).
He loved the Army and the places where he was able to travel and see the world which included Korea, Japan and Germany. It was Heidelberg, Germany where Vic would meet and later marry the love of his life, Elfriede. Freda, as he called her, would be his bride, always by his side for 64 years. They started a family in Germany with Jenny and Kathy later adding Susan while stationed in North Carolina, where he was now a radio specialist for the Army. Ultimately, the family would move to Maryland and they bought a brand new home in Rippling Estates, Glen Burnie, Maryland.
In 1967 he retired honorably from the Army. He was Korean War Veteran, and a Bronze Star recipient as well as many other honors for distinction in service. He had a brief stint with Bendix Engineering in Baltimore. His eyes were set on returning to the government and was recruited as a postal service police officer working at the main post office in Baltimore city. He would work there for 20 years retiring in 1990. Always avid dancers and world travelers they were able to increase these types of activities in his retirement years. They had a faithful, close group of friends who religiously gathered around Baltimore following their favorite Polka band and taking bus trips together around the country. As his wife’s health declined, he stayed home more saying “I have to take care of my lady.
