Charles Swan Obituary

Swan, Charles A.

91, died on February 17, 2026 at home in Chicago. He was born on November 3, 1934 to John and Catherine (Dziminski) Schwontkowski in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood and graduated from St. Augustine Elementary School and Tilden Technical High School where he served on student council, wrestled, played baseball, and sang in the chorus. While singing in St. Rose of Lima's men's choir, he met his wife of 60 years Mary Carol Kolasa, the church secretary, and they married on October 6, 1956. Charles supported his growing family working as a typesetter on Printer's Row while studying at DePaul University. After graduation, he taught math at DuSable High School for 29 years, and worked nights and weekends as manager at Talman Federal Savings. In retirement, Charlie consulted for Lasalle Talman Bank and volunteered as Queen of the Universe Parish's treasurer. A longtime resident of the city's West Lawn neighborhood, he shared the rich beauty of Chicago with his family, reveling in its magical lakefront, architecture, museums, churches, parks, symphonies and ballets. He developed his tenor voice by studying with an opera coach, and especially loved Catholic liturgical music and the arias of Luciano Pavarotti. Charlie's grown kids will remember our family road trips around the Midwest to see pumpkins and covered bridges and fall leaves, and our treasured fishing vacations in a log cabin on Fishtrap Lake in Boulder Junction, WI.

Charles is preceded in death by his wife Mary; his infant Daniel; his daughter Rosemary (Callahan); his son David; and his grandson William. He is survived by his son and caregiver Charles John; son Andrew; daughter Christine (Kevin) Montano; granddaughter Bridgette Jenkins; grandson Daniel; and great-grandchildren Jaden, Makayla, Ariel, Madison and Brayden. Special thanks to his dedicated, longtime caregivers Nancy Brown and Valerie Willory who made Dad's last years comfortable.

Services at QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE CHURCH, 7114 S. Hamlin Ave., Chicago, where family and friends will gather on Monday, February 23, 2026 from 9am to 10 am for visitation. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to Central Chapel, Chicago. Please visit CHARLES SWAN BOOK OF MEMORIES. To express your thoughts or memories in the online guest book, visit www.chapelc.com or www.facebook.com/centralchapel. Info., 773-581-9000.

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