Deacon McSwain, 78

Deacon Gary R. McSwain, 78

Deacon Gary Richard McSwain (1942-2021) passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 15, 2021, after a long illness, surrounded by his wife Lillian and his family. He was 78.

A prayer vigil of memory will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, at St. Pius X Parish in Coeur d’Alene. A memorial Mass is 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 20, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 625 E. Haycraft Ave., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Gary was known for his heart of service, integrity, and dependability, his quiet humor, and his love and commitment to his family. His reputation as a good listener and a wise counselor was appreciated by his family, friends, and colleagues.

Gary was born in Concord, Calif., to Bette Stetzer and Dick McSwain. He grew up in the Bay Area, raised by his mother and Ken Crawford, the man he called “Dad.” He graduated from Washington High in Fremont, and attended a year of Centenary College in Shreveport, La., before returning to Northern California to enroll in the apprenticeship program at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo. At Mare Island he was an electronic technician for most of his 31 years at the shipyard, which allowed him to take temporary assignments in Hawaii, Alaska, San Diego, Scotland and Spain.

As a young man he was active with the Sports Car Club of Vallejo, which led to a blind date with Lillian, who he would marry. They raised four children. With a fast-growing family they bought a house and relocated to nearby Fairfield, where he and Lillian were active in a wide variety of community pursuits, including Scouting.

A lifelong Roman Catholic, Gary served as a Eucharistic minister and lector with Lillian as well as leadership roles with Worldwide Marriage Encounter movement and the Handicapped Encounter Christ ministry. He served on the parish council of Fairfield’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel and was accepted to the permanent diaconate program, being ordained at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in 1992. He served as a deacon at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and at St. Mary’s in Vacaville, Calif. After retiring from the shipyard, he worked for the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento.

In 1996 Gary and Lillian moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he was hired as the outreach director at St. Pius X parish. He later served as director of religious education and pastoral associate. He received a certificate of pastoral ministry from Gonzaga University in 2001. Gary served as the director of deacon life and ministry for the Diocese of Boise from 2005 to 2012.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Greg and Tom. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lillian; sons: Gerhard, Chris and Pat; his daughter, Meri; grandchildren: Noah, Lloyd, Fabienne, Lindsey, Dylan, Zachary, Padraic, Maggie, Gabe, Max, Everett, Samantha and Vivian; and his sisters, Gayla, Linda, Lynette, and Corinne.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sacred Heart Mission on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation, 149 Byrnes Ave., De Smet, ID 83824.

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Gary’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com