Obituary of Ernest Swift

Monterey ~ Born in Old Lyme, Connecticut, Ernie was the youngest of twelve children. He served in the US Army during World War II, volunteering for combat duty in 1941. In 1948, Ernie graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology with a degree in metallurgy. He joined the Wilbur B. Driver Company of Newark, New Jersey and rose through the ranks to become its Chief Operating Officer. Ernie married his hometown sweetheart, the former Margaret Cosker. They had three children, Mary (Bill) Deakyne of Monterey, Ernest of New Jersey and Ann of Pennsylvania. Following the sudden death of his spouse in 1977, Ernest married the former Frances Jahnig of Palm Beach, Florida. He retired to Florida. After losing Fran to cancer in 2006, Ernie moved to the Monterey Peninsula to live with his daughter and son-in-law. Ernie loved his family, his Roman Catholic faith, his widescreen TV, an occasional nine holes of golf and his beloved New York Football Giants. Ernie is survived by his children; a stepson, Gordon Jahnig of Boynton Beach, Florida and his grandchildren, William (Yumi) Deakyne of Seaside, Mary Anne Garvin of Silverton, Colorado, Ernest Deakyne of Monterey and Timothy (Jenny) Deakyne of Santa Barbara. Ernie was blessed with five great-grandchildren, Grace, Seamus, TJ, Margaret and Cassian, whom he loved very much. "Swifty", "Buzz", or "Boppa," as he was called at differing times of his life, will be interred in Montclair, New Jersey. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Angela Merici Church in Pacific Grove on Friday, May 25 at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers the family requests that remembrances be made to Catholic Charities, 922 Hilby, Ste., C, Seaside, CA, 93955.