Charles Swenson

Orono - Charles Lawrence Swenson, known as "Chuck," passed away peacefully in Orono, Maine on June 6, 2025. Charles was born to Lawrence Augustus Swenson and Rosalie Margaret Swenson. He lived in Hampden, Bangor, and Orono.

Chuck was an acolyte of the 1960s. He had a huge poster of Jimi Hendrix hanging in his bedroom, a white Fender strat that he shredded on and experimented on. In his honor, listen to "Masters of War" by Bob Dylan, "Machine Gun" by Jimi Hendrix, "Lawman" by Jefferson Airplane, and "2+2" by the Bob Seger System. You'll understand.

He is survived by his niece, Jessica Swenson of Arlington, VA; his nephews, Adam Swenson of Bucksport, ME, and Daniel Swenson of Washington, D.C.; niece, Jennifer Swenson of Maine, and Lindsey Straniero and family of Orrington, Maine. He is also survived by good friends and the loving staff and residents of Orono Commons, for which the family is eternally grateful. And of course, his beloved cat Blackjack, that rowdy old tomcat.

He always had a mischief streak. Last year, he took too many edibles and the event landed him in the ER, where he told everyone he was Billy Joel.

Chuck loved music and art and considered himself a Buddhist. He was a positive, gentle human who had a full life and will be sorely missed.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor.

In lieu of flowers, put on his favorite movie Pat Garret and Billy the Kid. Put on a Jefferson Airplane record. Dance. Do something mischievous that makes someone laugh. Connect with family. Wear some cool turquoise rings and a backwards leather motorcycle hat. Trust someone fully. Watch some Janis Joplin footage. And show up for peace everywhere and anywhere because that really mattered to him in the way it should matter to all of us.

Like Jerry sang, "And it's just a box of rain or a ribbon for your hair / Such a long long time to be gone and a short time to be here."