Francis Albert Swass, 86, died on Sunday, Jan. 22 in Modesto.
He was born on March 29, 1925 in Modesto and graduated from Ripon High School. He joined the U.S. Navy in June of 1943 and worked for the Seabee branch during World War II. At the end of the war his Seabee service took him to Japan.
After being honorably discharged in 1946, he went to work for Spreckles Sugar Plant. He met the love of his life, Estelle Loucatelli, at a dance in Stockton. They married Jan. 29, 1950 and were together until his death.
They built their home on a farm an uncle named Joe Swass sold to them located in Escalon. They grew apricots on the land and later changed to walnuts. They raised two daughters on their farm where there was always a cat or dog to play with. Mr. Swass retired from farming in 1998 selling most of his property around his place but staying in the family home, living there until November of 2010.
Survivors include his loving wife of 62 years, Estelle Swass and their two daughters, Sherrie Fenstermacher of Carmichael and Carol Kunisch of Modesto; two grandsons, Jonathan and Sean Fenstermacher; and a brother, Mark Swass of Escalon.
Mass will be held on Friday, Feb. 3 at noon at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with burial following at St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Escalon.
Arrangements by Deegan Funeral Chapel; there is an online guest book available at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com.
Memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto CA 95356.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Feb. 1, 2012
He was born on March 29, 1925 in Modesto and graduated from Ripon High School. He joined the U.S. Navy in June of 1943 and worked for the Seabee branch during World War II. At the end of the war his Seabee service took him to Japan.
After being honorably discharged in 1946, he went to work for Spreckles Sugar Plant. He met the love of his life, Estelle Loucatelli, at a dance in Stockton. They married Jan. 29, 1950 and were together until his death.
They built their home on a farm an uncle named Joe Swass sold to them located in Escalon. They grew apricots on the land and later changed to walnuts. They raised two daughters on their farm where there was always a cat or dog to play with. Mr. Swass retired from farming in 1998 selling most of his property around his place but staying in the family home, living there until November of 2010.
Survivors include his loving wife of 62 years, Estelle Swass and their two daughters, Sherrie Fenstermacher of Carmichael and Carol Kunisch of Modesto; two grandsons, Jonathan and Sean Fenstermacher; and a brother, Mark Swass of Escalon.
Mass will be held on Friday, Feb. 3 at noon at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with burial following at St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Escalon.
Arrangements by Deegan Funeral Chapel; there is an online guest book available at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com.
Memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto CA 95356.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Feb. 1, 2012
