| Massachusetts Tree Wardens & Foresters Association |
| Since 1913...The Protection and Preservation of Trees The oldest tree organization in the USA. |
| 781-894-4759 |
| mtwfa@comcast.net |
Tree Warden Memorium
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| Website Design & Maintenance by Trees New England Copyright 2002-2008 Website Created: July 17, 2002 ~ Website Updated: March 7, 2008 |
| Massachusetts Tree Wardens & Foresters Association PO Box 326 - South Hadley, MA 01075-0326 Phone: (781) 894-4759 - Email: info@masstreewardens.org |
| SETH SWIFT 1923-2004 |
Seth H. Swift, 81, of 37 Park Drive, died Thursday, January 1st 2004, in Baystate Medical Center. He was
born in Gardner, the son of Benjamin and Frances (Howes) Swift, grew up in West Springfield and
graduated from West Springfield High School in 1939. He attended University of Massachusetts Stockbridge
School of Agriculture and was an Army Veteran of WWII serving in the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles.
Seth was elected Tree Warden for the Town of West Springfield in 1956 and served 46 years before retiring
in 2002. Seth was active in the Town of West Springfield being appointed to the Conservation Commission
in 1965; elected to the Planning Board in 1981; elected Town Meeting member; past Director of the West
Springfield Municipal Employees Credit Union and was past Chairman of Democratic Town Committee. Seth
was a member of the West Springfield Grange, where he was Past Master; American Legion Post 207,
Charter member of the West Springfield-Agawam Elks and Massachusetts Tree Wardens & Foresters
Association where he was Past President. Upon his retirement in 2002 an award was established in his
name to be presented annually to the Tree Warden of the Year. He established an annual Arbor Day
celebration in elementary schools where 5th graders were given a seedling tree donated by the West
Springfield Rotary Club and essay prizes were presented by West-Bank. He was responsible for West
Springfield being named a Tree City USA since 1986.
Seth received many awards; International Society of Arboriculture Arbor Day Golden Leaf Award; the DAR
National Conservation Award in 1984; MTWFA George Stone Founders Award (Association President
1981-82);1986 Friend of the Big E; MTWFA Tree Warden of the year in 2001; 1993 Citizen of the Year
from American Legion; American Elk of the Year 1989; Johnny Appleseed Award by students of Fausey
Elementary School. In celebration of Arbor Day 2001 the MTWFA planted a Swamp White Oak on the West
Springfield Common in honor of Seth and his 45 years of service to the community. In May 2001 he was
named a Paul Harris Fellow by the West Springfield Rotary Club for his efforts in promoting Arbor Day
celebrations throughout the West Springfield Schools. In 2002 he received a Certificate of Appreciation
from the West Springfield School Department for his work with West Springfield School Children.
He leaves his wife of 53 years Joan (Norman) Swift, a son Thomas of New York City, a daughter Donna
Swift of West Springfield, a ward Cathie Duchesneau of San Diego, CA, two sisters Marjorie Tetreault of
Greenfield and Sallyann Massa of Dennis and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers
Levi, Thomas and Benjamin and sisters Dorothy Burnham, Phyllis Merriam, Estelle Sholes and MaryJane
Poitras.
Donations may be made to:
the Seth Swift Tree and Landscape Trust,
c/o Treasurers Office,
26 Central Street, West Springfield, MA 01089
Published in Republican on 01/04
born in Gardner, the son of Benjamin and Frances (Howes) Swift, grew up in West Springfield and
graduated from West Springfield High School in 1939. He attended University of Massachusetts Stockbridge
School of Agriculture and was an Army Veteran of WWII serving in the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles.
Seth was elected Tree Warden for the Town of West Springfield in 1956 and served 46 years before retiring
in 2002. Seth was active in the Town of West Springfield being appointed to the Conservation Commission
in 1965; elected to the Planning Board in 1981; elected Town Meeting member; past Director of the West
Springfield Municipal Employees Credit Union and was past Chairman of Democratic Town Committee. Seth
was a member of the West Springfield Grange, where he was Past Master; American Legion Post 207,
Charter member of the West Springfield-Agawam Elks and Massachusetts Tree Wardens & Foresters
Association where he was Past President. Upon his retirement in 2002 an award was established in his
name to be presented annually to the Tree Warden of the Year. He established an annual Arbor Day
celebration in elementary schools where 5th graders were given a seedling tree donated by the West
Springfield Rotary Club and essay prizes were presented by West-Bank. He was responsible for West
Springfield being named a Tree City USA since 1986.
Seth received many awards; International Society of Arboriculture Arbor Day Golden Leaf Award; the DAR
National Conservation Award in 1984; MTWFA George Stone Founders Award (Association President
1981-82);1986 Friend of the Big E; MTWFA Tree Warden of the year in 2001; 1993 Citizen of the Year
from American Legion; American Elk of the Year 1989; Johnny Appleseed Award by students of Fausey
Elementary School. In celebration of Arbor Day 2001 the MTWFA planted a Swamp White Oak on the West
Springfield Common in honor of Seth and his 45 years of service to the community. In May 2001 he was
named a Paul Harris Fellow by the West Springfield Rotary Club for his efforts in promoting Arbor Day
celebrations throughout the West Springfield Schools. In 2002 he received a Certificate of Appreciation
from the West Springfield School Department for his work with West Springfield School Children.
He leaves his wife of 53 years Joan (Norman) Swift, a son Thomas of New York City, a daughter Donna
Swift of West Springfield, a ward Cathie Duchesneau of San Diego, CA, two sisters Marjorie Tetreault of
Greenfield and Sallyann Massa of Dennis and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers
Levi, Thomas and Benjamin and sisters Dorothy Burnham, Phyllis Merriam, Estelle Sholes and MaryJane
Poitras.
Donations may be made to:
the Seth Swift Tree and Landscape Trust,
c/o Treasurers Office,
26 Central Street, West Springfield, MA 01089
Published in Republican on 01/04
| WALTER LAMAY |
| If you know of past tree wardens who should be honored, please share the information with us. |
| DAVID CARLSON - Town of Barre |
| TOM McQUINN - Town of West Bridgewater |