Walter Swokla, 89, of East Hartford, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, May 16, 2013. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 62 years, Antoinette (Cancelmo) Swokla. He was born in New Haven, son of the late Anthony and Julia (Esak) Swokla and had lived in East Hartford since 1966. Prior to his retirement, Walt was employed as a Pasteurizer at Sealtest Foods, as well as serving as an Armed Guard for Mercer and Dunbar Security for over 40 years. He was a former communicant of St. Isaac Jogues Church. Family was important to him, and he was an avid reader of things historical, especially maritime. He proudly served his Country during WWII as a member of the United States Merchant Marine and enjoyed telling his war stories, especially about his time spent aboard Liberty Ships battling the odds while crossing the stormy Atlantic to supply Allied troops on the Russian Front as part of the 'Murmansk Run'. He is survived by a son Walter A. Swokla and his wife Susan of Andover, and two daughters, Janice Swokla of Pasadena MD, and Arlene Paterwic of Manchester, eight grandchildren, Benjamin, Brittany, Spencer, Jennifer, Jacquelyn, Sarah, Kathryn and Emily, five great grandchildren, his sister Lorraine Baxter of Wethersfield and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son-in-law, Donald Paterwic, and two brothers, Nick and Tony Swokla. The funeral will be Wednesday, May 29, with a Memorial Mass, 10 a.m. in St. Isaac Jogues Church, One Community Street, East Hartford. Friends may call Tuesday, May 28, 6-8 p.m. at Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. Contributions in his memory may be made to American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV) P.O. Box 186, Ferndale, CA 95536-0186. To share a memory with the family please visit
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