Dale William McSwain, 84, died on Sunday, October 8, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. McSwain was residing in Ruther Glen, Virginia, with his daughter, Virginia P. McSwain, and her longtime partner, Patrick Wallace. He formerly resided in Fonda, New York from 1995 until 2020. Mr. McSwain was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Marcia A. McSwain, on October 31, 2019. Together they raised four children, Lori A. Mayo (Jim Mayo) of Ephratah, New York, Edward C. McSwain (Judith Jones) of Amsterdam, New York, Christina L. Lombino (Kevin Lombino) of Wallingford, Connecticut, and Virginia P. McSwain (Patrick Wallace) of Ruther Glen, Virginia. He was survived by four grandchildren, Kristen R. Gonzalez, Justin S. Mayo, Edward P. McSwain, and Kathryn G. Lombino; and seven great-grandchildren, Isabella Gonzalez, Braedon LaPort, Kyleigh Mayo, Ellie Mayo, Tessa Mayo, Zoey McSwain, and Quinn McSwain.

Dale served in the Navy in the late 1950s. He joined the Navy at 17 years old and served four years as a photographer on the USS Saratoga. This was where his interest in photography started. He even had a dark room in his first house where he would develop his own film. It was while he was in the Navy that he met Marcia through a blind date that their respective best friends set them up on.

Dale loved to take photographs of family and friends and during his many trips with Marcia. At any family event he would be seen with his camera. Dale was a longtime member of Life Christian Center in Johnstown, New York. There he displayed his favorite hobby, photography, where he would capture on film many of the church's events, weddings and more. For the last several years while living in Virginia he would faithfully watch Sunday services online.

As the son of a Master Sargent in the Army, Dale lived in many places throughout the United States and overseas in Germany and Japan. This is where he developed his love for travel. He worked for Pan American Airways for 32 years as an A&P Mechanic which enabled Dale and Marcia to travel to faraway places like Hong Kong, Bangkok, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Jamaica, and to many states within the United States. Dale and Marcia also spent many years traveling by train throughout the West Coast and mid-West in their later years.

There will be a Celebration of Life in New York at the Riley Mortuary, 110 Division Street in Amsterdam on Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend, and we invite people to share stories and memories of our dad.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you contribute to the charity of your choice, the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center or the Richmond (McGuire) VA Medical Center in Virginia, both of which provided great care to Dale over the last several years.