Walter T. Swanson

Capt. Walter T. Swanson, Newport Fire Department Ret. 77, of Kay Street, Newport, RI, died Thursday, March 10, 2011 at Newport Hospital. He was the husband of Ellen M. Loftus Swanson.Born on April 10, 1933 in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Walter E. and Ruth Blankley Swanson.Walter was a 1952 graduate of Hemstead High School. He was a US Navy veteran of the Korean War, serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Tarawa. After his naval service, he worked for Johnson Bros. Oil Co. on Commercial Wharf and started Swanson Burner Service in 1973. He joined the Newport Fire Department in 1961 and retired after 30 years of service, he then opened Nellie Duggans Antiques and collectables which he operated until 2008. Walter was a member of the American Legion and was a life member of the Newport Lodge of Elks #104 serving on the board of trustees for 10 years, several as chairman of the board. Walter enjoyed his family, music, his dogs, puttering in the garden and antiques.In addition to his wife, he is survived by four daughters, Margaret Peggy E. Upham and her husband, Bruce, of Middletown, RI, Tricia A. Booth and her husband, Jim, of Portsmouth, RI, Katrina Kate E. Wheeler and her husband, Rick, of Newport, RI and Ruth B. Cudworth and her husband, Ron, of Newport, RI; a brother, Robert Bud Swanson and his wife, Judy, and sisters in law Zelma Swanson of NY and Pauline Loftus Walsh and Alice Loftus of Newport. He also leaves his twelve grandchildren, Rob Upham, Eileen Echevarria, Leslie Upham, James Booth, Thompson Booth, John Booth, Siobhan Wheeler-Betz, Erik Wheeler, Bridget Wheeler, Walter Ted Wheeler, Ronald Cudworth, Jr. and Christopher Cudworth; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces and nephewsHe was the father of the late Eileen Swanson and the brother of the late Roger Swanson.His funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 11 am in Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.Calling Hours will be held on Monday, March 14, 2011 from 4-7 pm in the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, donation in his memory may be made to the Newport Fire Dept. Rescue Car Fund, 21 West Marlborough Street, Newport, RI 02840.