Obituary of Daniel R. Swantko
Daniel R. Swantko, 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 12, 2025, in Yardley, Pa., his permanent home for the past 47 years.
Daniel was born on December 1, 1938, to Mr. and Mrs. Russell and Marie Swantko of the Hanover section of Nanticoke, Pa., a small section of the city in which everyone knew everyone. Small-town relationships marked Dan’s progression through life thereafter. He had many friends, played baseball from dawn to dark and graduated from Nanticoke High School Class of 1956. Daniel attended Penn State University, graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Wilkes University and 20 years later, at night, attended and graduated with a master’s degree from Rider University.
Dan is survived by his wife of 63 years Alice Eleanor Swantko (Post), the love of his life, three children Daniel D. and wife Dana, Lisa Lee and husband William and their children Jenna Alyssa, Eric Matthew and Braden Daniel and Dan’s third child, David R. Swantko, his wife Barbara and their two children, Danielle Brittany and Cameron Isobel. He is also survived by his brother Russell John Swantko and his wife Arlene, as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews.
After graduation Dan joined and served with the 109th field artillery in Fort Sill Oklahoma. He went to work shortly thereafter at the RCA Astro Electronics Division in Princeton, NJ and began a twelve-year career playing a small part in the exciting and frenetic challenge watching the nation put a man on the moon. That followed a 30-year engagement with the State of New Jersey, Department of Treasury, Office of Management and Budget, in the small but challenging Management Improvement Unit, in which consulting services were offered to all agencies in problem solving and improvement of operational effectiveness. A better opportunity he could not have found to professionally express himself. Dan retired in 2002 and enjoyed over 20 years of tending to the needs of his five grandchildren that joined the family during this time.
Dan’s life focus has been on family. His parents were warm and supportive, there were no less than 20 aunts and uncles to ask the advice of as he grew up, he married the right woman for the right reason, his children stayed within five miles of the homestead after they married which further strengthened their bonds, and we all took comfort and direction by maintaining our spiritual roots for over 60 years membership with St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Bristol, Pa.
There will be no public viewing. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church 2026 Bath Road, Bristol Pa. 19007 on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Father Ivan Demkiv, pastor. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery, 291 Durham Road, Newtown, Pa. 18940.
Arrangements are under the care of the FitzGerald-Sommer Funeral Home 17 S. Delaware Avenue Yardley, Pa 19067. Condolences for the family can be left at www.fitzgeraldsommerfuneralhome.com.
