Gerald (Jerry) Graham Swimm Sr. passed away at the age of 88 on Wednesday, January 24, 2023, after a steady decline in his health while residing at Raynham Life Care in Raynham. 

Jerry grew up in Everett, Massachusetts before moving to Middleboro and then to Lakeville. He was a congregant of Central United Methodist Church in Middleboro. The son of the late Maurice and Betty (Chandler) Swimm, he was one of five children. 

Jerry met and married his wife Patricia J. Swimm shortly after spending time in the Navy during the Korean War. They were married for 69 years until the time of Pat’s death in 2021. Jerry and Pat had five children together.

He spent most of his working years in the shoe industry and retiring from Alden Shoe to become President of the Brotherhood of Shoe & Allied Craftsmen Union. While working at Plymouth Shoe in Middleboro, Jerry helped organize a strike that successfully resulted in pay increases for the workers. He was quoted in the Brockton Enterprise, when FootJoy, the last operating shoe factory in America closed in 2009, saying “It’s devastating”. He loved to travel with Pat and enjoyed many hobbies and nature. Jerry had an unrelenting loyalty toward his family and friends.

Jerry is survived by his brother Frank Swimm and his wife Nellie, his children Gerald Swimm Jr. and his wife Nancy, Stephanie Danielson and her husband Arnie, Lindy Swimm and her wife Lee, Christopher Swimm and his companion Alison Anselmo, and Andrea Anderson and her husband Tim, his eight grandchildren Derrick Swimm, Shane Caledonia, Damien Caledonia, Erica Swimm, Kelson Danielson, Matthew Swimm, Ashalee Sadeck, and Tessa Swimm, and twelve great grandchildren.

 Visiting hours are Friday, February 3, from 10:00am to 11:30 am at Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home 280 Bedford Street in Lakeville, followed by a short service. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to BAMSI Kids https://www.bamsi.org/bamsi-kids/ Gift Designation: Early Intervention. For additional information or to send a condolence to Jerry’s family, please visit the funeral homes website at www.D-MFH.com.