Harry James Swett

The world is a sadder place today, as Harry James Swett has departed for his eternal reward in heaven. Harry was born in St. Johnsbury VT, October 13, 1945, the third child of George and Arlene (Lackie) Swett. He was named after his maternal grandfather, Harry James Lackie. His first years were lived in Newbury VT. His school years were lived in North Danville VT, as his father took over the Swett family farm. After graduating from Danville High School in June 1963, Harry enlisted in the Army, as he “didn’t want to be a farmer”. After his time in Fort Dix NJ and Fort Benning GA, he was shipped with the 1st Air Cavalry, a new division of the Army, out of Mobile, Alabama through the Panama Canal, a journey that lasted a month. He returned home in June 1966, and went to Burlington VT to get a job and “get a life”. Ironically, his new job was at General Electric Armament on Lakeside Avenue, a company that was manufacturing guns that were being used in Vietnam. It was at GE that he met his future wife, Claudette Leclair, who had also moved from the family farm in Charlotte VT, to Burlington to “get a life”. They were married in May 1969, and made their home in the St. Johnsbury area, eventually settling in Danville in 1973.

Harry initially worked at Fairbanks Scales, but after being part of a large lay-off in 1971, he worked many varied part-time and temporary jobs, until being hired at Holmes Transportation in the spring of 1972. Harry was a local driver for 12 years, until Holmes went out of business, at which time he went to work at Yellow Freight in Littleton NH. He was a local driver for Yellow for six years, leaving the house at 6 AM and returning home sometimes not until 9 or 10 PM. His days were usually spent in the Conway NH area. As the trucking business was changing and his body was feeling the effects of handling freight, and jumping out of trucks for so many hours, he knew he had to make a change. He again worked part-time and temporary jobs, until he was hired at Lyndon State College. He managed the mailroom at the college until his retirement in May 2008. It was here that Harry became the “Dean of the Mailroom”, and made hundreds of friends both students, and staff and faculty. He loved to “lie in wait”, hearing students talking as they approached outside the mailroom to open their mailboxes to retrieve their mail and, if he knew them well, he would grab their hand as they reached for their mail. He delighted in hearing big tall boys scream like little girls! The only helpers in the mailroom were work study students, and he loved being a “Father Figure” to them. He and his wife were honored to be invited to many weddings, and he kept in touch with many of his “kids”, as they kept him informed of events in their lives.

Harry was a joker, well-known for his pranks, and especially for his “hand-outs” of inspirational and funny papers. His cockroaches have infested many medical offices, including DHMC and NVRH. His Roadkill Stew cans sit on many kitchen shelves. His bread store donuts and smiley balloons have been left at many front doors, as he would make his rounds throughout the area. His “pet mongoose”, has taught many to learn to do a high stepping dance, as he opened the cage to let it fly!

In 2011, Harry got back into motorcycling, and joined the Vermont Combat Motorcycle Association. These new brothers, especially the ‘G.O.G’, became for him the most therapeutic association of healing for his Vietnam War experience. Unfortunately, Agent Orange exposure resulted in Harry’s sudden cardiac arrest and revival with life-saving measures on October 31, 2016. Though Agent Orange caused long-term heart and pulmonary damage, excellent care at NVRH and DHMC enabled him to resume a reasonable degree of activity and continue to ride his big white Honda Gold Wing Trike. Following seven years of declining health and several more major surgical interventions, Harry entered Palliative care in March 2023. In August the gentle loving nurses of Hospice came in to ease his remaining time with us. Harry’s big generous heart just gave out.

Surviving Harry are his wife of 54 years, Claudette, his two daughters and their families, Rebecca and Steve Longe, North Hero VT and Joanne and Nate Bergeron, and their children, Ethan, Emma and her partner, Aiden, and Everett, Colchester VT, and his younger sister and her husband, Donna Rae and Jim Kelley of Windham ME. He leaves nieces and nephews: Linda, Mark, Chuck, Darlene, Dorene, and Jeremy, and their families, as well as many cousins. Harry mourned the loss of his son, Joseph, at the age of 19, in 1998, his older brother, Frank in 1978, and his older sister, Doris, in 2010.

Harry was proud of his 35 years of sobriety. Many have attributed their own sobriety to his friendship, and loving guidance and example through the years.

God will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves…..if asked!

Keep your expectations low.

Don’t beat yourself up, put down that 2 X 4 and use a feather!

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

Attitude: Life is 10% what we are given, and 90% how we handle it.

ODAAT

Friends may call on the family from 4-6PM on Saturday October 28, 2023,  at the Sayles Funeral Home, 525 Summer Street in St. Johnsbury, VT. 

Funeral Services officiated by Chaplain Debi Warner will be held at 1PM Sunday October 29^th at the Sayles Funeral home, with Military Honors.

Private burial will take place at a later date in Pope Cemetery in Danville.

Memorial donations may be made in Harry’s name to CALEX Ambulance, P.O. Box 570, St. Johnsbury, VT  05819

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.saylesfh.com