In the familiar streets of East Lyme, Connecticut, 58-year-old Robert Henry David Swan Jr. passed away suddenly on November 16, 2025, after being stricken ill at home. The devoted husband and father, a longtime foreman for the East Lyme Parks and Recreation Department, died at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London.
Robert graduated from East Lyme High School in 1985, where he honed practical skills through vocational programs focused on outdoor maintenance. He later completed on-the-job training with the town’s recreation staff, building expertise in groundskeeping and event coordination.
Professionally, Robert served as a foreman for the East Lyme Parks and Recreation Department for over 30 years, overseeing maintenance of fields, trails, and facilities with meticulous care. He coordinated seasonal events and youth programs, earning respect for his work ethic and ability to rally teams during busy summers.
Robert shared a loving home in Niantic with his wife of 35 years, Diane Gilmore Swan, creating a space filled with family traditions and shared meals. As a proud father to daughter Lydia and son Vincent, he cherished coaching their sports teams and attending school events. Extended ties to his parents and in-laws strengthened weekend gatherings around his grilled favorites.
Robert embraced a balanced lifestyle with early morning walks through Niantic Bay trails for reflection and fitness. He followed UConn Huskies basketball closely and spent off days volunteering at local cleanups. Simple hobbies like woodworking in his garage produced custom benches for town parks.
East Lyme honors Robert with tributes at Flanders Bay Park, where flowers mark his legacy of green spaces. His family appreciates support during calling hours on November 25 at Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home. The community reflects on his family-first spirit, pledging continued care for the parks he nurtured.