Alexander Gregory Swystun

Born April 15, 1931 and raised in Philadelphia, Pa., he was preceded in death by his parents, brother Theodore Jr., and his first wife, Geraldine.

He is survived by his second wife, Madeline; daughter Nancy (Kurt Berger) of Nashville and son Paul (Teresa) of Cookeville; his grandsons, Brandon and Andrew (Emily) Berger, Philip (Kristina), O’Brian, and Alex Swystun; and his only granddaughter, Victoria (Will Dunson), the mother of his great-granddaughters Taylor and Allie.

Al attended Temple University, where he met his first wife and mother of his children, Geraldine Gapinski. A Korean War veteran, he began his career as a design engineer for Pratt & Whitney in Hartford, CT. He was a technical writer for IBM, then started working as a mechanical engineer for the DuPont Company in Wilmington, DE. He transferred to Nashville in 1963 to work in its Typar plant. He chose to remain in Nashville for the rest of his career and worked on the Reemay and Sonatra products at the DuPont plant in Old Hickory.

Al was the first male in his immediate family to survive into his 70s and 80s, and attributed his longevity to the friendship, love and care of his second wife, Madeline. Their combined family includes five children, 17 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, whom he loved to spend time with and who will miss him greatly. The family will host a Celebration of Life to honor Al.

Besides his family, Al loved and appreciated good wine and a good meal, traveling near and far, reading The Washington Post, watching old movies on TCM, restoring and driving old cars, and collecting and operating model trains, much to the delight of his family, young and old.

Al will be remembered for his resilient heart, generous spirit, keen mind, quick laugh, and for the ability to belt out a romantic song even in a crowded restaurant.

Donations may be made to the American Heart Association.