1933 - 2016
Visitation
December 11, 20164:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Dolan Funeral Home
Funeral
December 12, 2016St. John the Evangelist Church, N. Chelmsford, MA
Philip J Swissler Jr, 83, of Chelmsford, formerly of Haddonfield, NJ died Tuesday December 6, 2016 at Northwood Nursing Home in Lowell.
He was the husband of the late Martha E. (Healey) Swissler whom he has greatly missed for the past nine years.
Phil was born in Haddonfield, NJ on April 1, 1933, the son of the late Philip and Marie Swissler. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia, PA in 1950 and St. Joseph’s University in 1954. He earned an MBA degree from Northeastern University. He has lived in the Chelmsford area for the past 54 years.
Colonel Swissler was a career United States Air Force Officer serving 30 years. He flew fighter planes initially and then C-141 cargo/personnel aircraft with the USAF Military Airlift Command. In early 1960 Swissler was assigned to Hanscom AFB in Bedford, MA. Upon retiring from the Air Force, Phil worked as a System Engineer with the MITRE Corporation of Bedford, retiring in 1996.
Phil was a fervent Red Sox and Patriots fan. Always the congenial gentleman, he leaves this life with many grieving family, friends and parishioners from St. John the Evangelist Church, North Chelmsford in which he was well known as the weekly Lector. Phil was a 3rd Degree member of the Bishop Ruocco Council Knights of Columbus #9275 and member of the Chelmsford Lodge of Elks #2310.
Phil and Martha Swissler cherished their trips to Nantucket and San Francisco and returned to those places often. In recent years Phil spent winters in Clearwater, FL especially enjoying Spring Training games of his childhood favorite Philadelphia Phillies.
Colonel Swissler is survived by his son, T J Swissler, granddaughter, Holly Swissler and great granddaughter, Kiara Swissler all of Dracut, MA; and daughter, Michaela M Radziszewski and husband, John of Severn, MD; two brothers, Robert J Swissler and wife, Sharon of Washington Crossing, PA and Thomas J Swissler and wife, Barbara of Steamboat Springs, CO; brother in-law, Mark Doorley of Lima, OH; He also is survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Rita (Swissler) Doorley.
Visiting Hours are Sunday from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 106 Middlesex St. Chelmsford, MA. Funeral Monday at 8:00 a.m. from the Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 AM in St. John the Evangelist Church 115 Middlesex St. Chelmsford, MA. Burial in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford. In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to the Chelmsford Food Pantry P.O. Box 394, Chelmsford, MA 01824. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041.
Christine Perkins
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He was a great man. I loved him with all my heart. I know how proud he was when he talked about th and holly. You guys meant the world to him. I’m here for anything you need.
Maureen Linstrom
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I am sorry that I won’t be there with all of you. I know Uncle Phil will be greatly missed. Love to everyone!
The Troxels
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Our deepest condolences to the entire Swissler family. Phil will be as deeply missed in our family as he is in yours. Phil (and Martha) are the Godparents to our children, the moral compas for their lives and a guiding hand in friendship when we needed someone to talk to. The house on Trotting Road will never be the same. May our prayers help to lighten your hearts and our memories make you smile.
Tom Holland
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I loved taking to Phil he was such a great gentleman. When my son Kevin would come home on leave from the Air Force he would always tell Kevin stories about when he was in. Every year Dot and I would host a Christmas party or a Forth of July party and he was always in attendance. He would have his one good glass of wine which Dot would open up for Phil and he would always say thanks for inviting me. TJ cherish those special times you guy’s had together. As a close friend my prayers are for you and your family. Dot and I will miss Phil, but he will have a special place in our hearts.