Wayne Sweller, 71 took his final ride on Sept. 26, after an 18 ½ year long battle against prostate cancer.
Wayne Sweller, 71 took his final ride on Sept. 26, after an 18 ½ year long battle against prostate cancer.
He is predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Marie (DeBlasi) Sweller, and his former wife Helen (Holmberg) Sweller.
Wayne is survived by his beloved wife Wendy (Colbeth) Sweller, son Wayne Sweller and his wife Deborah and their son Brice of Rhinebeck NY, daughter Christine Clark and her husband and their children Spencer, Tyler and Alexi of Hyattsville, MD, daughter Miranda Salazar and her husband José and their children Kayliana and Caleb, of Manchester. He also leaves behind his adored stepsons, Stephen Szkirka and his wife Jacqui and their children Keila, Damaris, Jayden and Vanessa of East Hartford, Christopher Szkirka and his wife Cheri and their children Andrew, Alex and Christopher of Coventry, Jonathan Szkirka and his daughter Andriana of Wethersfield. He is also survived by a brother Arthur Sweller and his wife Carol Burke, sisters Diane Wiliams, Linda Brashier, Robin Sweller, brothers-in-law Daniel Murphy and his wife Terrie, Clyde Colbeth and his wife Cathy, Gary Colbeth, sister-in-law Carol Colbeth Szpak and her husband Michael, and several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews.
Wayne was a professional Railroad Engineer. He retired after 42 ½ years of service, finalizing with Amtrak. His high standards resulted in training many young men to follow his path in life with the railroad.
Wayne loved to travel and took numerous trips to the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. His favorite place to visit was Chebeague Island of Maine. He was a member of the Windsor Elks where he was an avid Set Back card player.
The family would like to thank members of Hartford Hospital Center, Harry Grey Cancer Center, and Salmon Brook Rehab Center for their professional and compassionate care.
Wayne will be remembered for his Sunday dinners, his sauce, his famous Mudslides, his smile, his jokes and his love for all; which will truly be missed.
Friends and family are invited to a period of visitation on Friday October 10, 2014 from 4-7PM at the Newkirk & Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Ave., East Hartford, CT 06108, and again on Saturday, October 11, at 9am followed by a memorial service at 10AM at the funeral home. Burial to follow immediately in Hillside Cemetery, East Hartford. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.newkirkandwhitney.com
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Wayne's memory to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or to the Stephen Ross Scholarships of Chebeague Island. c/o Mabel Doughty, 23 Bennett Cove Rd., Chebeague Island, ME 04017.
Wayne wants you all to know; to live like you were dying.