Raymond “Ray” Chadwick Sweeny
ST. ALBANS BAY: Raymond Chadwick Sweeny, one of the longest living residents of Hathaway Point, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 24th, 2022.
Born on the family farm on November 27, 1932, he grew up and lived for 89 years on the farm once owned by his parents, the late Henry and Gladice (Chadwick) Sweeny.
Ray graduated from Bellows Free Academy in 1950, then served four years in the U.S. Air Force at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth, TX, where he maintained B36 bombers. After returning home and taking over the family farm, he met the love of his life, Sandra Patno Sweeny. Together, they took great pride in earning many awards for the high quality milk that their Jersey cows produced.
After selling the herd in 1985, he joined Pete Warden making custom cabinetry. Later, Ray and Sandy opened their own business, R & S Woodworking. He made custom moldings and furniture and especially enjoyed making toys for his grand and great-grandchildren. You can see his Adirondack chairs throughout Franklin County, including on the porch of the Sweeny farmhouse which has been a focal point of most Sweeny gatherings for over 100 years.
In 1993, he and Sandy opened Bayview Bed & Breakfast which took in many world travelers for 13 years. After retiring, they spent 19 winters in Arcadia, Florida. While there, Ray belonged to the Woodcarving Club where he created beautiful carvings.
Ray was a member of the St. Albans Bay Methodist Church where he and other parishioners worked together on various projects for the church.
Survivors include his wife and partner for over 58 years, Sandra (Patno) Sweeny, their daughters and husbands, Diane and Dave Messier of Colchester, Lynn and Mike O’Brien of Fletcher and Debbie and Matt Ladd of St. Albans Bay and Alburgh, as well as grandchildren, Samantha Messier, Kyle Crofts and his fiancé, Tiffany Reed, Corey Crofts, Katie Irish, Brandi and her husband Ryan Maskell, and great-grandchildren, Kasen and Lennox Crofts, and Sophie and Nolan Maskell.
Ray is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Lee Patno and Gary Patno, and several nieces and nephews. Ray was especially close to the Sweeny and Sanderson boys who worked on the farm. He also leaves behind his very dear friends, Russell and Linette Kruse.
In addition to his parents, Ray was predeceased by his brothers, Bill Sweeny and Earl Sweeny, his sister, Kathleen Yanney and her husband, Earl, in-laws Bud Patno, Donnie and Fay Chamberlin, Elon and Ginny Patno, Ruthie Fienemann, and Judy Patno; and very dear friends, Don and Anna Hurlbut.
Ray’s family will receive friends and family on Saturday, April 9th, 2022, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 South Main Street, St. Albans followed by a service at 3:00PM with the Reverend Dr. James Koo officiating. Prayers of committal will be held at a later date at the St. Albans Point Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the St. Albans Bay United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 116, St. Albans Bay, Vermont 05481 or the St. Albans Town Firefighters Association Inc., c/o Jay Sweeny, 912 Hathaway Point Road, St. Albans, Vermont 05478.
Honored to be serving the Sweeny family is the Heald Funeral Home, where messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com
