James Paul Swagel, 56, a lifetime resident of Sturgeon Bay, passed away early Sunday morning, August 9, 2020 at Door County Medical Center.
James was born April 1, 1964 in Sturgeon Bay, the son of Anton and Patricia (Haskell) Swagel. He was a graduate of Sturgeon Bay High School with the class of 1983. James worked at the Sunshine House in Sturgeon Bay on various contracted projects over the years.
He loved cats, music, especially rock and roll, watching sports, playing bingo, and bowling. Even after high school, James was a constant figure at most Sturgeon Bay sporting events where he enjoyed leading cheers and firing up his team to win. His excitement and enthusiasm for things he enjoyed, were infectious to everyone around him. James may have been the winningest and luckiest bingo player in Door County with his repeated shouts of “BINGO” heard throughout many calling halls in Sturgeon Bay. You certainly knew when James won at Bingo.
He grew up in a large loving family. His mother, Patricia Swagel, survives; as do his nine siblings, Linda (Patrick) Casanova of Hudson, WI, Anthony (Tanya) Swagel of Beaverton, OR, Jeff (Kay) Swagel of Greenville, WI, David (Nadina) Swagel of Beaverton, OR, Kevin (Natalio Romero) Swagel of Evanston, IL, Karen Shaw of Sturgeon Bay, Charles Swagel of Algoma, Grant “Butch” (Polly) Swagel of Sturgeon Bay, and Darrin (Emily) Swagel of Minnetonka, MN; his caregiver and friend (sister from a different mother), Terri Hansen; along with many dear nieces and nephews; and friends.
James was preceded in death by his father, Anton; and infant brother, Dennis.
His life will be honored with a funeral service held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 16, 2020 at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay with Fr. Robert Stegmann officiating. The funeral will be livestreamed via the “Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. & Door County Crematory LLC” Facebook page. Those viewing the service via Facebook are encourage to “Like” The funeral home page at anytime prior to the funeral to become aware of the live broadcast.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at the funeral home on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 2:50 p.m.
James will be laid to rest in St. Joseph Cemetery on Monday, August 17, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.
Those attending the visitation and/or funeral are to wear face masks and maintain social distancing. Temperature checks will be provided and hand sanitize will be available upon entry into the funeral home. Dual-chapel occupancy will be limited to 25% capacity (total of 50 people between the chapels).
The Swagel family wants to give special thanks to “the devoted staff of Algoma Long Term Care, Door County Medical Center, and Unity Hospice.”
Memorials may be given in lieu of flowers.
“Rock on, sweet James!”
Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of James may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.
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