Paul F. Swope, Jr., 97

June 06, 2018

Paul F. Swope, Jr., 97, of Lancaster, PA, passed away at Hospice and Community Care in Mt. Joy on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. He was born in Lebanon, PA to the late Florence (Shartle) and Paul F. Swope, Sr. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty (Thompson) and his long-time companion Sue Suter. He graduated from McCaskey High School. He went to Instrument Repair Civil Service School in Harrisburg, worked at Hamilton Watch Co. as an inspector and Middletown Air Dept as a Mechanics Helper prior to enlisting in the Army. He served in the US Army Air Corps stationed in England with the 350 Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group. He was an Instrument Mechanic and Staff Sgt. during the Air-Offensive-Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Ardennes campaigns.
After the war, he attended Bowman Technical School and was a watch maker. He then was employed by RCA for 34 years until retirement. He also worked part-time as a driver for Thermacore, Inc. and part-time at his Brother-in-law’s company, APBA Game Co. Paul was a volunteer fireman for Southern Manheim Twp Fire Co. in the 1950s and one of two men hospitalized when showered with bricks during the Lancaster Brick Co. fire in 1957.
He was a member of many organizations including Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, Lodge 43 F&AM, Scottish Rite Freemasonry, Harrisburg Consistory, Rajah Shriners (assisted in transporting children to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Philadelphia), Tall Cedars (Oriental Band and Life-time member), American Legion Post 34, VFW Post 1463, Commercial Travelers Club, 8th Ward Benevolent Assn and 8th Air Force Historical Society. He had been a member of St Peter’s UCC in Lancaster.
His favorite pastime was playing golf (encouraged by a hole in one, playing the Old Course at St. Andrews and attending the Masters) until he could only watch the Golf Channel. He had a good sense of humor and a quick wit. He enjoyed being a long time resident at the Long Community at Highland.
The family wishes to thank Hospice and Community Care and the Long Community at Highland for their wonderful service and compassionate care.
He is survived by his son Paul F. Swope III, husband of Jane, Lititz, daughter Sandra S. Beyer, wife of Robert, Lititz, Michele L. Black, wife of Ian, Lancaster, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Jeanne McCartney and Marilyn Swope.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Memorial Service at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA. The family will greet friends at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 with the service following at 7:00 p.m. A private interment will be held at the convenience of the family.
Kindly omit flowers. If desired, a memorial contribution in Paul’s memory may be sent to Hospice & Community Care, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125 or Shriners Hospitals for Children-Philadelphia, 3551 N Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140.