Harry Swanson

Harry Swanson

Army Veteran, Engineering Executive, and Beloved Family Patriarch

Harry Swanson, formerly of Bloomfield, N.J. died October 15th at the age of 99.  He was the devoted and loving husband of Dolores Marie (Johansson) Swanson with whom he shared 56 years of marriage.

Harry was born in Windham, Connecticut, a suburb of Willimantic, on September 9, 1927.  At a very young age Harry moved with his parents and his older sister Helen to Jersey City, New Jersey where he spent his formative years.  Harry graduated from Dickenson High School in Jersey City in June of 1945 with an industrial focus.  Several of Harry’s dearest friends in life came from his early adventures in the Jersey City environs. 

At age eighteen Harry enlisted to serve in the United States Army.  He graduated from military intelligence school at Fort Reilly, Kansas and became a sergeant and member of the intelligence staff at the second armored division’s headquarters at Fort Hood, Texas.  Harry additionally became certified for cavalry school photo interpretation and rifle sharp shooting.  In May of 1947 he was honorably discharged as part of the Army’s demobilization.

Following his military service Harry enrolled at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey to study engineering.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1951and then began working as a structural design engineer at Austin Company in Roselle, N.J.  Between 1952 and 1956 Harry achieved his Master of Science degree from Stevens Institute in Industrial Management.  He additionally took post graduate courses at Stevens in statistics between 1956 and 1958.

In 1952 Harry began twenty years of employment with the P. Ballantine & Sons Brewery in Newark, N.J.  His first role was Manager of Project Engineering, and his responsibilities included the building, construction, and machinery installation within Ballantine’s Packaging Center in Newark.  In 1960, Harry was promoted to Director of Engineering wherein he directed all activities of the engineering department including steam & power, electrical, building & maintenance, construction, and research and development.  In 1965, he was promoted to Director of Production having total responsibility for the production facility including packaging, engineering, warehousing, and brewery operations.  Harry thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the friendships that he gained while at Ballantine.  In 1972 when Ballantine closed their operations in Newark Harry was one of the last employees to leave. 

Harry attained his Professional Engineering License in the state of New Jersey in March of 1972. 

Harry began twenty-two years of employment with Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, N.J. in 1973.  His role as National Director of Engineering there provided him with many opportunities to introduce and expand automation and technology developments throughout J&J’s global footprint. One of Harry’s favorite pastimes during this timeframe was playing, coaching, and competing within Johnson & Johnson’s softball league with his colleagues.  In 1995 Harry retired from Johnson & Johnson.

Following several years of engineering consulting, Harry began his third extended employment experience working for the City of Clifton as Director of Economic Development in 2001.  In this role, Harry identified and supported businesses desiring to establish a presence within the city of Clifton.  Harry enjoyed helping these companies successfully become part of the fabric of Clifton.  Harry retired from this position in December of 2017.

Throughout Harry’s long and progressive career, a constant has been the love and support that he has had for his family.  He had tremendous love and respect for his parents, his sister Helen and her husband John, and their two daughters.  His wife, Dolores, was the true love of his life and their 56 years together were something that he cherished.  His love for his three children, their spouses, and his four grandchildren continued strong until his very last day.

Harry is survived by his children, Denise Schier (Karl), John Swanson (Nan), and Nina Zardezed (Michael), his four grandchildren, Eric, Zachary, Leah, and Erin, and extended family and friends. 

Visitation will be held from 9 AM – 12 PM on October 23, 2026 in the Halpin-Bitecola Brookdale Funeral Home, 1284 Broad Street, Bloomfield. N.J.  A funeral mass will follow at 12:30 pm at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 60 Byrd Avenue, Bloomfield, N.J.  Burial will be at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Montclair, NJ directly after mass.