TUSTEN, NY — Glenn Swendsen loved taking care of graveyards. He found them a wonderful place for reflection. He maintained the property at the Ten Mile River Baptist Church. And following the traditional Memorial Day service on May 28 at the church, a bench was dedicated to Swendsen, who died on September 20, 2022. 

His brother, Steve, spoke of always knowing where Glenn was throughout the day and the daily 5:30 a.m. wellness check by phone. “I’m still mad at him,” he said, jesting a little. “I lost my brother, my mechanic and my best friend.”

Glenn’s widow, Julie, said that Glenn was a rare breed that held a great pride in his work and always held the best interests of the town in mind. “He loved this church and cemetery. Now anyone can... sit with him,” she said.

Art Hawker spoke of Glenn as hard-headed, in terms of not accepting a raise for the work he did for the Glen Cove Cemetery in Narrowsburg. “It was only a six month commitment, but he worked and watched out for it for 12. He had a spiritual connection and affinity to graveyards,” he said.

Brandan Kenny said that he had met Glenn while he was campaigning for highway superintendent. “He was the best highway superintendent this town ever had. I miss him every day.”

Brandi Merolla designed the memorial plaque and arranged for the bench to be made.

The Memorial Day service included Pastor Phyllis Haynes and retired Methodist minister Steve Knutsen, and special music by Luanne Shard and Gary Skotch, with Nancy Hankin, playing the vintage pump organ. Kathleen Johnson presented a few short stories and a poem, in lieu of Ralph Huebner, who was to be the guest speaker and was unable to attend as he is recovering from an illness. 

Graveside memorial services were offered by Tusten-Highland Lumberland Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6427, Pete Carmeci, commander.