Thomas John Swiatlowski, Sr.

Thomas J Swiatlowski Sr. 1947-2023 Gilbertville – Tom Swiatlowski, 75, passed away at his
home on June 3, 2023, after a long illness. He was born on July 5, 1947, and was a lifelong
resident of Gilbertville. He was the son of the late John and Helen (Kosla) Swiatlowski.
 
A Vietnam Veteran, Tom was drafted into the US Army in 1968 at the height of the War. He
served in Vietnam as a Specialist in Howitzer Battery, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry
Regiment from September 1968-August 1969. During his service, Tom received the Bronze Star
Medal with Valor for participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy
and the Purple Heart for combat-wounded Veterans. He was a member of the American Legion
Post 246, the VFW Post 9093, and Disabled American Veterans.
 
Tom was a 1965 graduate of Hardwick High School, where he was a member of the baseball
team. He spent his career working for the State of Massachusetts as a carpenter at Belchertown
State School until its closing in 1992 and then at Glavin Regional Center in Shrewsbury, MA, to
retirement in 2009.
 
He was a member of the former Joseph Pilsudski Association in Gilbertville, which was founded,
in part, by his grandfather. He was proud of his Polish heritage. He enjoyed classic cars, walks at
the Quabbin Reservoir, NASCAR, the NY Giants, and the NY Islanders. Tom was a loving father
who will be missed deeply by his son and daughter.
 
Tom is survived by his son Thomas Swiatlowski Jr. and daughter-in-law Tasha who cared for him
with love and devotion until his death, and his daughter Sara Swiatlowski and son-in-law
Howard Rappaport, his kidney donor in 2007. He is also survived by his brother Gary
Swiatlowski.   
 
Tom will be laid to rest with his parents; a graveside service with Military Honors will be held at
St. Aloysius Cemetery in Gilbertville on June 9, 2023, at 11:00 AM. Arrangements will be
handled by Cebula Funeral Home. 
 
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Tom’s memory to Disabled
American Veterans (www.dav.org) or a Veteran-focused organization of your choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas John Swiatlowski, Sr., please visit our floral store.