Paul Louis Swift, a longtime resident of Canyon Lake, CA. (from 2000-2024), and much beloved friend, husband, father, and “Papa”, passed away on December 24th, 2024, in Murrieta, CA. at age 80.
Paul was born to Frances Swift and Paul S. Swift on October 12th, 1944, in Albany, NY., and raised with his older sister, Carol. in the nearby village of Colonie, NY.
His upstate 1950s New York childhood was very “Norman Rockwell.” Paul earned money from his paper route, and in the summer, he would spend weekends camping in Lake George.
Paul was raised with a strong work ethic. After graduating from high school, Paul apprenticed as a union millwright. He truly had a life-long interest in machines and engineering.
He worked much of his adult life as a millwright, and later worked as a heavy equipment operator. Before moving from New York to California in the 70’s, Paul was an iron worker on skyscrapers, and a bartender during the age of disco clubs.
He was of Italian descent and was very much a New York “good fella.” Paul was a connoisseur of fine dining and an accomplished chef, enjoying the many superb restaurants in New York. Due to his keen wit, friendly attitude, and generosity, he made countless friends and never met a stranger. As a young man, when not working, Paul would join his friends in fishing, at horse tracks, and on Vegas junkets. Always loyal, he had his friends’ backs and always stood up for them. Many stories of his early escapades in New York are especially legendary—both hilarious and heartwarming.
After high school, he married his high school sweetheart, Gail Van Ornam (m.1963-1968). They had two sons, Michael and Joseph Paul Swift (Pastor Joe).
In the mid 70’s, Paul moved to Corona, California where he continued to work as a millwright in LA, and he made a few work trips to Alaska. He also owned an Italian restaurant in Corona. He later met and married his second wife, Mishael, in 1982. They had two daughters, Heather Swift and Holly Swift.
When Paul later moved to Canyon Lake with his family, he was extremely proud of the house that he built there and was enormously proud of his children and grandchildren. He absolutely adored spending time with his family.
In his later years, and true to form, Paul made many friends in Canyon Lake. He loved socializing and cruising around on his golf cart, while visiting his friends.
Paul valued honest people, good stories, history and geography, horserace handicapping, football (Steelers), great food (Italian and seafood), and song lyrics. He was a man of his word; he wore his heart on his sleeve and wasn’t afraid to share how he felt. When he became perturbed, you knew it. Alternatively, he would literally choke away his tears when speaking about someone in need, offering a helping hand. Paul’s occasional blunt humor and quick wit was a great part of his unique charm. He had the biggest heart and will be forever missed by his loved ones.
Paul is preceded to Heaven by his parents, Frances and Paul S. Swift; his aunts and uncles; his older sister, Carol Dunn Swift; and his sons, Michael and Rev. Joseph Swift. His very great friend and “brother,” Thomas White also preceded him.
He is survived by his first wife, and mother of his two sons, Gail Swift of Berne, NY; his second wife, and mother of his two daughters, Mishael Swift of Canyon Lake, CA; his daughters, Heather Swift and Holly Swift [and husband, Eduardo Covarrubias] of Canyon Lake, CA; Paul’s grandchildren: Justine Rich, [her husband Jeremy Rich], and their son Paul’s great grandson, Joseph Rich of Copperas Cove, Texas; Josiah Swift of Thousand Oaks, CA; Anthony Covarrubias and Giovanna Covarrubias, of Canyon Lake, CA. Paul’s beloved nieces and nephews: Dawn, Debbie, and Thomas Paul and their spouses, children and grandchildren. Paul had many great friends in his life. Two of his closest friends survived him: Bob Whalen of Canyon Lake, CA. and Ralph Baines of Henderson, NV.
Paul was a deeply beloved husband, father, friend, uncle, and Papa. His passing was completely unexpected and shockingly sudden, yet it was an end to the severe pain he was suffering.
We invite you all to share pictures or memories. It was his wish that we laugh and reminisce and smile together during this time.
