James E. Swenson

Holden – James E. Swenson, 64, died peacefully at home on Sunday, April 6, 2025. He was born in Skowhegan, Maine. Son of E. Alfred and Nancy (Kempster) Swenson, he lived in many states over the course of his lifetime. The family moved from Bellows Falls, Vermont, to Watertown, CT, in 1966, then to Bethlehem, PA in 1974, and finally to Holden, MA, in 1980, where he resided for 45 years.
James graduated from Freedom High School in Bethlehem, PA, with the class of 1978. He had a lifelong passion for food and pursued a career in culinary arts. Most recently he served patrons at Cyprian Keyes Country Club. One of his favorite pastimes was painting. He was very talented and enjoyed sketching and painting to relax and express himself. James also enjoyed reading, learning about history, and, of course, he was an avid Red Sox fan. Jim was a fierce chess player and had a slyly sarcastic wit, which was enjoyed by all his friends and family, particularly when we played the famous Thanksgiving dictionary game. Another of his passions was his love for animals, especially cats. He adopted several sweet felines with the most recent being, Mylo, who passed on before him about a year ago.
James is predeceased by his mother, Nancy K. Swenson. He is survived by his father, E. Alfred Swenson; his former wife, Sue Swenson of Eastham, MA; his son, Nicholas Swenson of Holden; his sister, Karen Habegger of Watertown, CT; his niece, Emily Barry; his nephews, Jacob Habegger and Nathaniel Habegger; his great-niece, Keira Barry and great-nephew, Shawn Barry, all of Watertown, CT.
Funeral arrangements are private and under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. Family and friends can leave condolences on the funeral home’s website https://www.milesfuneralhome.com/obituaries/ . Donations in memory of James, should be sent to Worcester Animal Rescue League, 130 Holden Street, Worcester, MA 01606.