James R. Swanson, 81, of Davey Hill Road, Pittsfield, and recently of the Rouse Home, Youngsville, died May 13, 2015, at the Rouse Home surrounded by family and friends.

He was born May 4, 1934 to the late Manning and Mildred Swanson, and lived his entire life in Pittsfield.

He owned and operated the former Mobil Service Station in Pittsfield and in 1974, he and Marian opened Swanson's Barn on Davey Hill Road.

Jim loved life, and most importantly all the people in his life. Jim was extremely talented with woodworking and could do amazing things with his scroll saw.  Many people have beautiful mementos from Jim in their homes from all the hours spent in his woodworking shop. He loved and waited impatiently each year for the Warren County Fair, and spent countless hours there as a volunteer.  Most likely his favorite task was driving fair attendees from the parking lot to the grounds and meeting so many new people along the way, as he loved to talk and meet new people.   One of his favorite things was his morning coffee sessions with his friends at the Pleasant Valley Inn in Youngsville.   He loved grabbing the coffee pot and offering refills as he chatted with everyone, as Jim loved to chat!

When his health began to fail, and he could no longer be home, he moved to the Rouse Home in Youngsville.  He handled that as he did everything else in his life, turning it into a positive situation as he saw that as a way to meet and talk to new people.   He quickly became the unofficial Rouse greeter, and everyone entering the Rouse, visitors and new residents alike, were met with a smile and kind words.

He lived his life with humor and a charitable disposition and he will be sadly missed by all who encountered him along the way.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of more than 60 years, Marian Swanson, who he married October 18, 1954, and by two daughters, Kathy Thompson of Apopka, Florida and Karen Sobkowski and her husband Tim, of Warren, a sister, Nancy Lawson, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Alton Swanson, Jean Shell, Jessie Rafalski, Roy Swanson and Helen  Peters.

Friends will be received at the Peterson-Blick Funeral Home, Inc. on Saturday, May 16, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, at which time, a service will be held there, with Rev. Marcus Briggs, chaplain, Rouse Home, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to The Friends of the Rouse, 701 Rouse Avenue, Youngsville, Pennsylvania or Paws Along the River, 212 Elm Street, Warren, Pennsylvania, or a charity of choice.