Odessa, Texas was a town known for numerous oil rigs on top of dusty plains. With a mad rush to the hospital, Steven Leonard Swinhart was born on Monday, September 5, 1949. He was two months premature. Steve's parents were Orrin Leonard Swinhart and Doris May Madill. Throughout Steve's boyhood, he lived the cowboy culture that started with him wearing cowboy boots every day. Steve was the only Texan in our family that had a Massachusetts accent.

Steve's family moved to Marshfield in 1959. With the sounds of the ocean, the winters and a new culture, Marshfield became their new home. Steve graduated from Marshfield High School in 1967. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1968 and served until 1972. He loved being in the Navy, but it was the Vietnam War, and later in life he became a victim of Agent Orange. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston in 1982 with a BFA in Art. After going to photography school, he worked for Polaroid as a Technical Representative for 23 years and was a wedding photographer for 26 years.

When Steve returned from the Navy, he married the love of his life Jennifer Lee Joyce on October 11, 1974 in Marshfield. Their children are Steven Austin and Alison Joy. Steven married Jennifer L. Capeless and Alison married Sean C. Vance. Their cherished grandchildren are from Steven and Jennifer: Kylee Austin Swinhart, Jordyn Lynn Swinhart, and Jackson Robert Swinhart; and from Alison and Sean: Caelin Cari-Ann Vance and Camryn Joy Vance. Steve was blessed with a wonderful family.

Steve was a man of few words that consisted of pointing, facial expressions and few words sentences. He was like his dad being a quiet, reserved listener and also very intelligent. There was one big exception and that was BASEBALL! Steve was intense and passionate at baseball games. He had a great love for the sport of baseball. He often felt like he was the only one who knew the rules of the game.

Steve was very competitive from being a national champion speed roller skater to a football all-star in high school to assistant coaching baseball with his good friend Bob Rodgers to the many family games. He would terrorize all of us with his driving. He thought he was racing in the Grand Prix. It is a miracle we all survived.

In 1992, Steve became a Freemason. He spent years working his way through the chairs to become Master of Daniel Webster Lodge and the 18th Masonic District Deputy Grand Master. The Mason brotherhood was his greatest passion.

Steve leaves behind his family including his sisters: Bobbye Nolan and Jackye Brant of Texas, in-laws: Debbie White, Sandra Parry and Bob Joyce of Florida, many nieces and nephews and numerous cousins. He also leaves behind so many special friends that felt like family.

The time has come to say goodbye to a wonderful man. Steve had a good life. We will treasure our memories. Steve would want us to have smiles and not tears. He would want us to keep our families close. And most importantly, Steve would want us to PLAY BALL!!!!

Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, July 8th, 2023 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street in Marshfield. The Funeral Service will be celebrated on Sunday, July 9th, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 1981 Ocean Street in Marshfield followed by a reception at their Parish Hall across the street. Burial will be at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Steve would like donations to be made to the Daniel Webster Lodge at 420 Furnace St, Marshfield Ma.02050 or the Hope Lodge at 125 South Huntington Ave, Boston Ma. 02130.