Richard Troy Swearingen

Richard Troy Swearingen, age 76, passed away at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on April 8, 2026 after a year-long battle with leukemia. He fought the cancer like a true warrior.

Troy was born in Bath, Maine, on September 17, 1949, to the late John and Shirley (Parshley) Swearingen. He grew up in Bath and graduated from Morse High School in 1967. After high school, Troy enlisted in the Army National Guard and served in the Bath company as a motor transport operator for 6 years.

Troy spent 44 years employed at Bath Iron Works as a shipfitter and later as a crane operator at the Harding Plant, retiring from there in 2013.

Troy was known for his sense of humor, gift for gab and telling endless stories, along with a strong work ethic. He was a devoted father, grandfather, brother, companion, and friend. He loved his family deeply and was happiest when surrounded by those he loved most. He especially treasured spending time with his two grandsons.

In his younger days Troy was an avid outdoorsman. He liked spending time on his boat, fishing, hiking, and downhill skiing.

In his retirement years he was always working on a project. Troy was his own carpenter, electrician, plumber, arborist, landscaper, and car mechanic because why hire somebody when he could do it better himself. He loved animals especially doting on other peoples pets, feeding his backyard birds and other wildlife that happened to wander in, and gardening.

Troy was a loving companion to Susan Curtis of Auburn for more than 30 years. They enjoyed taking long car rides together that brought them to the distant corners of New England and as far south as Florida, stopping at casinos and eating lobster rolls and ice cream along the way.

Troy always surrounded himself with people, which made his cancer diagnosis especially hard on him in the past year. He always looked forward to hanging out with his lunch bunch every week at Antigonis in Brunswick. He leaves behind many special friends, as well as a special neighbor, Debbie Gill.

Troy was a lifelong member of the Smith-Tobey American Legion Post 21 and the Bath Elks Lodge No. 934.

In addition to Susan, Troy is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Swearingen, and her husband, Alan Brown, and two beloved grandsons, Christian and Nathaniel Brown of Newburyport, MA; a brother, Terry Swearingen, and his wife, Barbara, of Lake City, FL; nieces, Heidi Barriger and Heather Swearingen, of Lake City, FL; a nephew, Marcus Swearingen Bates, and his wife, Sarah, of Piedmont, SC; as well as many extended family members.

He is predeceased by a nephew, Jason Swearingen.

The family would like to thank the staff at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center Lunder 10 for their compassionate care of Troy during his final days. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

On Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 11AM, there will be a graveside service at Oak Grove Cemetery in Bath (Oak Grove Avenue Entrance). A celebration of Troys life will take place immediately following the service at a location to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Troys name to Midcoast Humane Society, 5 Industrial Parkway, Brunswick, ME 04011.

Arrangements by Desmond Funeral Home.

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