Quechee, VT - Earl L. Swasey, 89, passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 following a long illness.

He was born on November 26, 1924 to Charles and Orlena (Johnson) Swasey. He grew up in Beava Meada and attended school in Norwich, VT, as well as Hanover High School. He started working at a very early age, with his first official job at fifteen years old, repairing washing machines. Earl was a very hard worker. As a young man, he worked as a log truck driver and sold Fuller Brush products. During the winter, Earl worked at the woolen mill in Quechee, VT where he met the love of his life and his future wife of nearly fifty-nine years. Earl and Shirley E. Severance were married on July 30, 1955 in Woodstock, VT, and they made their home in White River Jct., VT.

Earl worked as a painter and saw the need for a business specializing in drywall. In 1960 he started a drywall and painting company, Swasey's Dry Wall. He owned and operated the business for over twenty years and taught the trade to his sons. Earl had always loved working on cars, so he decided to open an auto repair garage out of his home, as well as working nights and weekends for Tip Top Bakery. He later worked as a mechanic for McNamara Motors in West Lebanon, NH. Even though he officially retired at sixty-two years of age, Earl continued to work odd jobs into his seventies, helping his family and friends with auto repair, or construction. Anyone that needed his help, he was always there even if it was just to talk. Earl loved to sing and dance and he always had a great sense of humor. He will be dearly missed.

He is predeceased by his beloved wife of almost 59 years, Shirley Swasey, and four brothers, Bud, Jim, Carl and Howard and two sisters, Sis and Ella.

He is survived by three sons, Larry Swasey of White River Jct.,VT, Wayne Swasey of Thetford, VT, and Brad Swasey of Orford, NH, three daughters, Kathy Fortune of Bellows Falls, VT, Carol Duncan of Bethel, VT, and Corinne Cutts of Hartland, VT, eighteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and a sister Dorothy "Dot" Johnson of West Coxsackie, NY, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held Wednesday, July 2, from 11AM – 1PM with funeral services starting at 1PM at the Knight Funeral Home, in White River Jct., VT. Burial will follow in the Prosper Cemetery in Woodstock, VT.

Memorial contributions may be made to: The Upper Valley Humane Society, 300 Old Rte 10, Enfield , NH 03748.