Robert Charles Swinburne

Robert Charles Swinburne of Robert Gardens North, Queensbury, New York & Venice, Florida, died on Wednesday, April 14, 2010, in Venice Florida. Born in London, England, he was the eldest son of Robert and Mary Madeline (Southerden) Swinburne. Robert’s career in aircraft design and aerospace engineering began with his serving a five-year apprenticeship with Handley Page Aircraft in London. In 1951, he immigrated to Toronto, Canada and joined A.V. Roe as an Aircraft Structural Engineer. Then in May of 1952 he was offered a position on the preliminary design team of Republic Aviation in Farmingdale, Long Island. His employment with this company was interrupted when he was drafted into the U.S. Army and posted to Germany where he served honorably from 1954 to 1956 during which time Robert became an American Citizen. On October 13, 1956, following his discharge from the U.S. Army, he married the beautiful Catherine Mary Coogan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. The newlyweds resided in Forest Hills, NY participating in and enjoying the Manhattan scene of the 1950’s and 60’s. Robert resumed his career with Republic Aviation, eventually joining Grumman Aerospace where he became a Program Manager on the Lunar (LEM) Project until his retirement in 1968, when he and his wife made the brave decision to abandon their stressful careers and moved to Rupert, Vermont, where they had purchased a non-working 400 acre farm. Ten wonderful years later, after restoring the houses and outbuildings on the property, establishing successful real estate and mail order businesses, and earning their B.Sc. degrees from Castleton State College they were satisfied that all their efforts had been amply rewarded. In addition to these accomplishments, Robert and his wife managed to add to their list of adventures by traveling to the British Isles, Europe and several of the Caribbean Islands. So it was inevitable that the Swinburne’s lust for life would not end with their Vermont experience. In 1978 Robert and Catherine moved to St. Petersburg, Florida where he joined the Crisp Company Realtors and within a few years became Vice-President in charge of Commercial Real Estate. During the next ten years he and his wife enjoyed sun, surf and beautiful beaches on the Gulf of Mexico before returning north to a home they had purchased in Bolton Landing, NY. In 1989, Robert began a new career as a Tax Map Technician, where he enthusiastically served Warren County for ten years before retiring once again in October of 1999. Robert was born into poverty and during his childhood, experienced the neglect common to all those unfortunate souls trying to survive in London’s East End. Barely old enough to understand social and class inequities, he then suffered a greater tragedy. the horrors of the Blitz in World War II. Despite the odds, seeds of love, optimism and ambition must have taken root in this boy, as like a phoenix rising from the ashes, his marriage of over fifty years and his interesting and varied careers brought him great happiness and fulfillment. In all that time, family and friends have enjoyed his magnificent spirit which brought so much wisdom and hope into their lives. Robert had become a Renaissance man combined with a wonderful sense of humor. There was a magical side to his nature. He could always find the sunshine on a rainy day. In short, he was a lovely man, a superb and loving husband and a loyal friend. Robert will be cremated and at his request there will be no service. When Robert and Catherine’s spirits caress for all eternity they will reside in their marble duplex at Saratoga National Cemetery, which overlooks their beloved State of Vermont and in the Garden of Tranquility at Venice Memorial Gardens in Venice, Florida. From these peaceful and tranquil locations all future adventures and cosmic explorations will be planned and executed. Donations in Robert’s memory may be made in his name to The Crandall Public Library, 251 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801 or to TideWell Hospice, Inc., 220 Wexford Blvd., Venice, Florida 34293, where Bob with his wife, Kate spent his last days in their loving care. His beautiful spirit will never die. Farley Funeral Home in Venice is handling the arrangements.