Obituary of Alan D. Swenson

Alan (Al) Daniel Swenson, 62, of East Brunswick, NJ, passed away on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at University Hospital in Newark. He was born on March 27, 1961, at Perth Amboy General Hospital to John O. Swenson of Seneca, SC, and the late Lorraine D. Swenson. He was raised in East Brunswick and graduated from EBHS Class of '79. He lived in Jamesburg for over 35 years before moving back to East Brunswick in 2020. Al worked as an apprentice carpenter in New York City alongside his father and then worked as a mixer for Himont. He also worked as a meter reader for PSE&G, and as a manager at the Pit Stop Service Center in East Brunswick before trying his hand at an entrepreneurial journey as co-owner of Jamesburg's Gulf Automotive Service Center. For the last 14 years, Al worked at Greenbriar at Whittingham in Monroe Twp, first in security before joining the maintenance department.

Al joined the Knights of Columbus in 2001, serving as a 4th-degree member for over two decades. He held multiple leadership roles, including serving as the Grand Knight for 8 years with the Jamesburg Knights and most recently as the Deputy Knight of the St. Bartholomew Knights in East Brunswick. He was the active president of the Historical Society of East Brunswick and a longtime parishioner at Holy Trinity RC Church in Helmetta, serving as a faithful usher for the 8:30 am Sunday Mass.

Al grew up an avid enthusiast of anything related to trains, participating in the Boy Scouts, digging for old bottles, farming on his family's property (the Zieminski farm), and regularly watching black and white reruns. When not working or volunteering for the community, he spent time with friends (including Tuesday nights playing shuffleboard), doing anything to keep his Chevy pickup running, listening to country music (especially Willie's Roadhouse), and hanging out at home with his girls, his cats: Loretta and Lynn.

He was predeceased by his uncles, Lawrence (Larry) J. Zieminski, Carl H. Swenson, Edward Sandberg and Thomas H. Brown Jr., his aunt, Marie A. (Swenson) Brown, and his long-term partner, Carla Bagen.

Al is survived by his sister, Lorri Lynn Swenson-Casella, and her husband, James, of Jackson, NJ, three nieces: Lindsey, Jamie, and Alexis; two aunts: May Jones of Sarasota, FL, and Joyce Zieminski of East Brunswick; as well as his loyal best friend of over 50 years, Steve Johnson, who stood by his side and listened to all his stories (whether he liked it or not), along with his very caring friend, Dee Evans. He will be greatly missed for his kind, gentle personality and handiness by many extended family members, friends, colleagues, and the residents he worked with.

Visitation will be 3:00-7:00 pm on Thursday August 17, 2023 and 8:45-9:15 am on Friday August 18, 2023 at the M. David DeMarco Funeral Home, Inc. - 205 Rhode Hall Rd., Monroe Twp., NJ  08831 - 732-521-0555 - www.demarcofuneralhome.com.  Funeral services will begin at 9:15 am on Friday from the funeral home.  A funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 10:00 am at Holy Trinity RC Church - 100 Main St., Helmetta, NJ  08828 followed by interment in Holy Trinity Parish Cemetery, Monroe Twp.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to St. Bartholomew Knights of Columbus Council #11873 - St. Bartholomew RC Church, 470 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick, NJ  08816 or the Historical Society of East Brunswick - PO Box 12, East Brunswick, NJ  08816.