Joseph W. “Swanee” Swan, 68, of New Cumberland, West Virginia, passed away on Monday, June 21, 2021.

The youngest of five children of the late Kurt W. and Helen L. Burskey Swan, Joe was born August 29, 1952, in New Cumberland and had the distinction of being one of the last babies delivered at home by Dr. James “Doc” Fisher.

His childhood was spent on and in the Ohio River and later in life on the steps at Graham’s corner or in Branty’s Pool Hall. He loved boating and water skiing and instilled his love of the river in his sons and all of their friends, who spent many weekends learning to water ski, being pulled on tubes behind the Swan boat or just hanging out with him on the riverbank. Many great memories were made with “Big Joe.”

He attended New Cumberland schools and graduated from Oak Glen High School, Class of 1970.

Joe was employed as a railroad engineer at Weirton Steel/Arcelor Miittal for 46 years, retiring in 2016. He spent his retirement working in his yard, riding his Harley, driving his Camaro, attending WVU football and basketball games, traveling to Morgantown and North Carolina to support his grandchildren, whom he loved dearly, in all their endeavors, and most importantly trips to the beach every summer with his family and extended families, the Wrights, Gibsons and Napolitanos, where many good times were had and great memories were made.

He was the best Husband, Dad and Pap ever to his wife, Lynn, his two sons, Joe and Michael, his six grandchildren Walt, Wil, Kelan, Alex, Ellison, and Hadley Grace and his surrogate grandchildren, Matt, Gracie, Sam, Charly, Connor and Shamus. He left them all with great character, great memories and undying love.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Cumberland, West Virginia.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in law, Walter and Estella Sobel, his sister, Peggy L. Swan, and his sister-in-law, Cathy A Sobel.

He is survived by his wife of 50 plus years, Lynn A. Sobel Swan, his sons, Joseph D. Swan and his wife, Regan, of Morgantown, West Virginia, and Michael E. Swan and his wife, Sara, of Morganton, North Carolina, and his grandchildren, who were the loves of his life, Wil Swan, Kelan Swan, Alex Bruni and Ellison Bruni of Morgantown and Walt Swan and Hadley Grace Swan of Morganton. He also leaves his sister, Nora Anne White, of New Cumberland, his brothers Mike Swan and his wife, Teresa, of New Matamoras, Ohio, and Bill Swan and his wife, Phyllis, of New Cumberland, as well as 17 nieces and nephews, several great nieces and nephews and his extended families, the Wrights, Gibsons and Napolitanos.

The family will receive friends at Nixon Funeral Home, New Cumberland, West Virginia, on Sunday, June 27, 2021, 6:00-8:00 pm, Monday, June 28, 2021, 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 pm and Tuesday, June 29, 2021, 9:30-10:30 am.  Funeral Mass with Liturgy will be Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at 11:00 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, New Cumberland, West Virginia, with burial in New Cumberland Cemetery.

Special thanks to Bill and Phyllis Swan for all the love and support shown to Joe and his family, Jessica Crow and Becky Hostuttler for their great care and the nurses and aides of the Sixth Floor of Weirton Medical Center for their care and the compassion shown to Joe.

Rest in Peace, Joe, Dad and the best Pap ever.  It was a life well lived, just way too short.