Peter Swistock Sr., 94, of Henderson, rural Houtzdale, and Jupiter, Fla., died Thursday at Jupiter Medical Center after a brief illness.
He was born in Blackburn, son of the late Harry and Mary (Mclevish) Swistock. He married Margaret Elizabeth Stancey on Sept. 4, 1946, in Winchester, Va., and she preceded him in death on April 4, 2010.
Surviving are seven children: Peter Raymond Jr. and wife, Leona (Munjack), of Houtzdale, James Wallin and wife, Deborah Jeanne (Gillen), of State College, Margaret Ann "Peggy" Keeshin and husband, Scott, of Springfield, Ill., his primary caregiver and neighbor, Marcia Jeanne Pollard and husband, Dr. Stephen, of Jupiter Inlet Colony, Fla., Christine Mary Flegal and husband, Richard, of Hollidaysburg, Nancy Lynne Snyder and husband, Patrick, of Chicago, Ill., and Amy Elizabeth Swistock and husband, Stephen Skolozynski, of Chicago.
He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Jennifer Swistock, Amanda Swistock, Peter Swistock III, Susan Aboosi, Elizabeth Bernardi, Matthew Keeshin, Katelyn Keeshin, Stephanie Pollard, Blake Pollard, Sarah Skolozynski and Amy Skolozynski; two great-grandsons: Peter Swistock IV and Grayson Swistock; two great-granddaughters: Nora Keeshin and Nora Aboosi; as well as a number of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by six brothers: Peter, Frank, Alex, Joseph, John and Charles "Wasco"; and four sisters: Nancy Felix, Christine Makatan, Anna Forensky and Magdalene "Maggie" Peckowycz.
Peter served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He began his career as a farmer and cattle dealer. He ventured into the mining industry and was founder of Swistock and George Coal and Clay, Swistock Inc. and Swistock Associates Coal Corp. He was also involved in several other companies and corporations in the Clearfield, Cambria and Blair County areas. He, along with his wife, operated Swistock Rentals, Swistock Carwash and Mo-Valley Sanitary Service, and he was a past director of Omega Financial Corp.
Peter was a member of St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ramey and attended the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Tequesta, Fla. He was a member of the Sanborn Grange, United Commercial Travelers, Houtzdale American Legion, Philipsburg Elks, Osceola Mills Lodge 515, F&AM, and Jaffa Shrine. He was a past president of the Houtzdale Rotary Club.
He learned the game of golf in his 60s and became a successful PGA golfer. He also became a downhill skier in his late 60s. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, at Birger A. Freeberg Funeral Home Inc., 200 David St., Houtzdale, where Parastas will be recited at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 17, 2012, at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church, Ramey, Father Anthony Balistreri officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Ramey.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church, Ramey.
