Hampden - Lawrence Andrew Swenson passed away on December 20, 2017. He was known as “Larry” or “Gus” to most people, and was known as “Papa” to his grandchildren. He was 90.

Larry was born in Millinocket, ME in 1927 to parents Augustus Swenson and Mary Ann Swenson (nèe Wickett) and joined the Navy in 1945. He served in the Pacific for several years before returning home with his forearm proudly emblazoned with an anchor tattoo.

Larry married Rosalie Aldrich in 1948, and they built a life for themselves in Hampden in the same way a lot of Maine folks do – hard work and scrimping and saving. They dug out a foundation of their home on Patterson Road and lived in the foundation while they saved enough money to finish the home. They were eventually able to build a 50s-style dream ranch, complete with a teal kitchen and a fireplace. It was there that they raised their three sons, Charles (Chuck), Marc, and Kirk and formed a strong community with their neighbors.

For over 50 years, they owned and operated Swenson Carpet and Video in Hampden. You may have known him as the charming curmudgeon behind the desk, his name embroidered across the pocket of the dark blue workshirts he wore every day: LARRY. He was full of Maine ingenuity and innovative solutions, like the time he avoided buying a costly security system for the store by hanging up a handwritten sign that read “CAUTION: BOOBY TRAP SHOTGUN.” That did the trick alright.

Larry is surely at peace, having joined his beloved Rose, who passed away in 2013. They were married for 64 years and hardly left each other’s side. Larry is survived by his sons Chuck, Marc, and Kirk, and grandchildren Jennifer, Jessi, Adam, and Daniel, and his sweet orange lapcat named Muggy.

A Funeral Liturgy outside of Mass will be held at 12noon, Friday December 29, 2017 at the Hampden-Gilpatrick Chapel of Brookings-Smith 45 Western Ave., Hampden. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 10:00am until time of service on Friday. The Rite of Committal will be held later in the spring. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com

Affiliations

US Navy