John Alan Swenson passed away peacefully in his home early Monday morning, June 17, 2024, just shy of his 93rd birthday, after a long battle with kidney disease. Alan was born on June 29, 1931, to John Theodore and Florence Marian (Innes) Swenson in Montclair, New Jersey.

As a child he helped his grandmother tend to the chickens and was responsible for bringing in the eggs every morning, some of which were sold to the corner grocer. In his teenage years he worked at a soda fountain, where the owner said business had never been so good with all the teenage girls who came to buy ice cream from the dashing young Alan! Little did he know that Dad used to give the girls free Coca-Cola! He learned to fix cars from his grandpa, and this was a lifelong passion.

After high school, he loved traveling the Mediterranean while serving in the Navy for four years. Upon returning to NJ, he held many odd jobs until he was introduced to Anne Marie Singerle by his mother. He said they talked into the early morning on their first date because she was a good conversationalist! He married Mom in December 1955. They settled in Beachwood, NJ where their four children were born from 1956 through 1963. Dad was the master of odd jobs to support his family and could fix anything, from automobiles to appliances, while working full-time at Ciba-Geigy Chemical in Tom's River, NJ. The family spent many wonderful days enjoying the beach. Christmases were notable for the last-minute "Charlie Brown" trees Dad would pick up on Christmas Eve! Not long after retiring, he and Mom moved to Brevard, NC and became proprietors of the Sunset Motel on S. Broad St. They had a great time getting to know the greater Brevard community, Father Carl and his parishioners at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the many tourists who came to enjoy beautiful Transylvania County during the late '80s thru the '90s. His children and grandchildren have many fond memories of Christmas at the Sunset Motel, exploring the DuPont and Pisgah Forest, buying rocks at Ernie's Rock Shop on Rosman Hwy not far from the Motel, attending Gwynn Valley Camp and the yummy ice cream at Dolly's!

Dad was preceded in death by his parents, our mom Anne, his wife of almost 50 years, their 4th child, William Gregory 'Greg' Swenson, son-in-law, Frederick Gillen, as well as his oldest sister and brother-in-law, Rhoda and Frank Quinn and his younger brother, Robert.

Dad is survived by his second wife, Rose Gutknecht Hobbs, whom he married when he was in his late '70s and she in her early 80's, proving it's never too late for love! They had lots of fun and laughter together, volunteering at Transylvania Hospital in Brevard and Friday night dinner and music at the Lake Toxaway Community Center, where Rose was a long-standing member. Rose is in residential care with dementia. Alan is also survived by his three children and their families, who were everything to him: Deborah Anne Gillen, Robert Alan (Cathy) and Shane Noel (Mary Ellen), eight grandchildren, Chad, Jenilee Schroeder (Chris), Jessica, Erin, Michelle, Rebecca, Shannon and Shane Alan, two step-grandchildren, Zach (Gabby) and Will, and three great-grandchildren, William, Elizabeth and Arthur, who were the lights of his life! In addition, he is survived by his younger sister, Janice Swenson Mathisen (Mel) whom he loved dearly. Dad was a very proud and private man who would probably be aghast at this obituary, but hey, we get the last word. He was the heart of our family!

A private family Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. Donations can be made to your local hospice in his honor or to the National Kidney Foundation. Funeral/cremation services were provided by Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory. We are so thankful for the outpouring of love from family and friends through social media.

Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.