Gary L. Swimley

November 13, 1936 – January 1, 2026

Gary Leon Swimley joyfully moved to his eternal home with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 1, 2026 while surrounded by his family.

Gary was born November 13, 1936 to Leon and May Swimley of Westfield Pennsylvania. He was raised on their small farm on Broughton Hollow, along with his brother Stanley, building the values and ethics that consistently marked his entire life. Gary was a graduate of Cowanesque Valley High School and Mansfield State Teachers College. Gary began his career as a teacher, and although he remained a teacher in various ways throughout his life, he soon transitioned into computer programming, working for many years at Babcock Poultry Farms in Ithaca on their IBM mainframe using keypunch cards. Following his work there, he began working in the Rochester pharmaceutical industry for Pennwalt Pharmaceuticals, later acquired by Fisons, writing software that encrypted and maintained drug test results for pending FDA approval. Gary took an early retirement offer in 1992 and began work as Sulpher Springs Computer Consulting, an independent IT contractor, before fully retiring.

Gary married Esther (Lawrence) on July 5, 1958, and they enjoyed nearly 67 years of devotion to one another prior to her death on June 5, 2025. Gary's life was focused on his family and on service to his Lord, setting an example of quiet integrity, and building a legacy that will long outlive him. Gary and Esther invested in people throughout their life together through youth ministry, teaching, and service in their local church, including the past 43 years at Crosswinds Wesleyan Church in Canandaigua. Gary was an avid gardener and fruit grower, and an accomplished woodworker, having built desks, a china hutch, toys, a grandfather clock, a garden lighthouse, and numerous cabinets.

Survivors include Susan (Keith) Schrader, Keith (Kelly) Swimley, and Carol (Tim) Shoemaker, grandchildren Aaron (Mariah), Kara, Daniel (Michelle) Schrader, Abbie (Donovan) Snyder, Kiersten (Benjamin) Lanning, Kalisa (Philippe) Herszon, Collin (Anna) Swimley, David, Matthew Shoemaker, and Holly (Ethan) Ott, and 21 Great-Grandchildren.

Calling hours are planned for January 9, 2026, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Crosswinds Wesleyan Church, 3360 Middle Cheshire Road, Canandaigua NY, with a memorial service immediately following at 3:00 p.m.

Memorial gifts may be made to West Indies Self Help, WISH P.O. Box 221608 St. Louis, MO 63122-9997

Arrangements have been entrusted to Fuller Funeral Home.

To share a memory or express condolences online, please visit www.fullerfh.com