Obituary of Harry James Swackhammer

Candor - Harry (Bud) James Swackhammer Sr., 87, of Candor NY, passed away due to an unexpected illness on April 22, 2019 in Prosper TX while visiting family. He was predeceased by 4 sisters and his daughter, Shari Scolpino (Swackhammer); He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Kathleen, Candor NY; four sons: Harry Jr. (Pam), Endicott NY; Mark (Donna), Endicott NY; Craig (Kasey), Prosper TX; Kris (Laura), Boylston MA; two stepsons: Michael Howrilka (Jane), S. Portland ME; Ryan Root, Harrison NJ; seven grandchildren: Bradley Homa (John Gonzalez), Brooklyn NY; Ashley Wells (Lyle), Endicott NY; Evan, Aidan, Cole, Boylston MA; Kyle, Skylar, Prosper TX; two great-granddaughters: Calyn and Harper Wells, Endicott NY; one sister: LaVerta VanWinkle, Vestal NY; one brother Richard Swackhammer, Greene NY; many nieces and nephews. Harry retired from IBM Federal Systems Division in Owego NY in 1990 after 29 years as a mechanical engineer. Harry loved fishing and hunting, wood working, baking, gardening, photography and just chatting with anyone who would listen. He was quite a conversationalist. Harry always made you smile right down to the last days of his life by cracking jokes. He was quite a jokester. Harry was known for his very delicious pies and cookies. Family and friends looked forward to events that would have Harry's deserts at them. Just before he had to stop wood working, he built a very large and beautiful gun/clothing cabinet for his grandson; a master piece for sure. Harry was known for making walking sticks and giving them away to anyone who needed or wanted them. He always wanted to help out anyone by using his talents to build whatever that person needed. He was our "Mr. Fixit" and was almost always able to fix a broken item rather than buying a new one. Harry loved taking photos of landscaping and animals and then would print the pictures up and build frames for them and give them away or display them in our house. The results of his picture taking were fabulous. Lastly, Harry dearly loved all of his children, daughters-in-law, grand-children and great-granddaughters and was always concerned about how they were doing during any phone conversations he would have with his sons. A Celebration of Harry's Life will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. at the Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, 300 E. Main St. Endicott, NY, with the Reverend Dale Ford, Kathleen's cousin, officiating. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. The family will receive friends at funeral home on Saturday from 2 p.m. until the service begins. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to Stray Haven Humane Society, 194 Shepard Rd., Waverly NY 14892, or an animal shelter of your choice. Friends and family may share their memories and condolences by visiting www.colemananddaniels.com.