Christopher F. Swanson

Christopher “Chris” Swanson passed away February 15, 2015, in Salem, Virginia. Mr. Swanson was born February 21, 1969, in Charleston, SC, at the naval hospital to Charles “Chuck” Swanson of Torrington, CT and Linda Clark of Bangor, ME.

Chris graduated from Oliver Wolcott Technical School in 1987. He entered the US Navy in 1993. After boot camp in Santiago, CA, and A-1 structural aviation mechanical school in Memphis, TN, he was deployed to the Persian Gulf on the USS Independence, CV62. After his tour in the Gulf, he was then deployed to Japan where he accomplished a climb of MT. Fuji, finishing his service on Whidbey Island in Washington.

Upon discharge from the Navy he lived in Connecticut for a few years then moved to Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii, where he met his true love and soul-mate, Becky Monroe. Leaving Kauai after 8 years, they returned to the mainland where they lived briefly in Maine then returned home to Connecticut.

Chris loved to hunt and fish and was a diehard Yankees and Dallas Cowboys fan. He also enjoyed writing volumes of poetry, mostly of Becky. He was very well liked and made friends very easily wherever he went. He could often be found with a smile on his face and was always helpful to anyone who needed assistance.

He is survived by his parents, Chuck and Nona Swanson of Torrington; grandmother, Mary E. “Nana” Swanson of Wolcott; brothers Daniel Klonoski (Jamie Wolf) and Michael Klonoski (Cyndi); aunts, uncles and many cousins and friends too numerous to mention. He is predeceased by his paternal grandfather, Alsoph F. “Bud” Swanson; his maternal grandparents, William and Patricia Clark; and his beloved, Becky Monroe.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 160 Main St., Torrington, CT.  Relatives and friends are asked to meet directly at the church.  Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery with full military honors  accorded.  Callings hours will be Friday, February 27, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Veterans Service Office, c/o Vets Who Care, 140 Main St., Torrington, CT 06790. Condolences may be sent to the Swanson family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com.