Northborough – Charles Parker Swan III, 85, passed away Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, at home, surrounded by his loving family.
Swan was born April 18, 1928 in Somerville, grew up in Everett, and graduated from Everett High School in 1946. After serving in the Army, he attended college in California and graduated from Boston University in 1952. He retired from the Burroughs Corporation in 1980 after 37 years of service.
Swan leaves his wife of 58 years, Claire Miles Swan; a son, David Parker Swan of Worcester; and daughters, Karen Swan Muggeridge and her husband John, of Southborough, and Ellen Swan Mazzer and her husband Timothy, of Pittsfield. He was a loving grandfather of four granddaughters, Jacqueline and Diana Muggeridge and Ashley and Tyra Mazzer. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Glancy, of Stoneham.
According to his obituary, Swan enjoyed serving the Northborough community and, in 1970, he was elected Town Moderator and served in that position for 33 years. As such, he was known for his “expert knowledge of parliamentary law [that] saved many a stressful situation on the town floor.” In 2003 he was succeeded by Frederick George Jr.
Town officials remarked on his passing and his legacy in the town.
“He kept things fun and lighthearted when possible, and he had the respect of everyone who knew him, or even knew of him,” Leslie Rutan, the chair of the Board of Selectmen, said.
“He offered me a ride home after a Town Meeting several years ago, when he and I were the last ones to leave,” she added. “We were merely acquaintances, but I could tell that he was a kind and caring person who loved his community.
“Parker and his family embody the values of the Northborough community,” Town Administrator John Coderre said. “The town has lost one of its elder statesmen.”
The Swans had also been active in many other community activities including advocacy at the state and local levels for the developmentally disabled population.
According to his obituary, Swan loved magic since he was a young boy and as an adult, enjoyed much success in that field. Along with his wife, he performed in venues all over New England and at magic conventions across the country. He also enjoyed mentoring and inspiring young people on the magic he loved so much.
He was the former president of the Massachusetts Moderators” Association and was an active member of the Northborough Historical Society, the Greendale Men's Club, Northborough Helping Hands, and the Harmonica Club at the Senior Center. He was also a trustee of the Seven Hills Foundation, a communicant of St. Rose of Lima, and also served as former chairman of the Parish Council.
He was the former president of the Society of American Magicians and a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the New England Magic Collector's Association,
Calling hours will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 3 – 7 p.m., at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main St., Northborough. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 11 a.m., in the St. Rose of Lima Parish, 344 West Main St., Northborough. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Howard Street Cemetery of Northborough.
The family noted that “donations in his memory will be meaningfully accepted” by the Seven Hills Foundation, 81 Hope Ave., Worcester, MA 01603.
To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family, visit www.haysfuneralhome.com.