Swatsworth, Gerald W., “Jerry”, 92, passed away November 28, 2018 at his home. Born June 10, 1926 in Curwensville, Pennsylvania. The son of Agnes (Collins) and Wilson Swatsworth.
Preceded in death by wife, Helen L. (Hood) Swatsworth; daughter, Debora L. Foster and his sisters; Gladys M. Stutzman, Mary L. Shawley, and Anna J. Rodgers. Survived by his daughter, Sandra Rhodes and husband Randall of Indian Land, SC. ; son-in-law, William Foster of Pittsburgh, PA; and grandchildren, Jennifer Anderson and husband Clinton of Charlotte, NC; and Jared Foster of Pittsburgh, PA.
He is also survived by great grandsons, Jack Anderson and Luke Anderson of Charlotte, NC. Gerald was a 1944 graduate of Armagh High School and served his country during WWII as a member of the US Army. He is a graduate of the Stonier School of Banking at Rutgers University; was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of BT Financial Corporation, a regional bank holding company, with headquarters in Johnstown, PA.
The Corporation banking family was composed of Johnstown Bank and Trust Company, Laurel Bank of Ebensburg, Fayette Bank and Trust Company, Uniontown, and Bedford Associates, Inc., Johnstown. Together these affiliates served communities in Cambria, Somerset, Bedford, Blair, Indiana, Westmoreland, Allegheny and Fayette Counties. BT Financial Corporation subsequently became Laurel Corporation, Promistar Financial Corporation and in 2004 the holding company was merged with First National Bank, Hermitage, PA.
Gerald was active in many community activities. He has served as Chairman of the Jacob Fend Foundation, Johnstown Area Regional Industries, Greater Johnstown Committee, as well as Vice President of the Venture Capital Corporation of Pennsylvania. Gerald has also served on the Board of Trustees of Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital, Greater Johnstown Committee, The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, The Johnstown Regional MRI Center Corporation and the Citizens Cemetery Association (Grandview Cemetery).
He has also served as President of the Cambria County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, a Director and Treasurer of Sunnehanna Country Club, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association, and a Director of the Ligonier Valley School District. Gerald was a devout member of the Westmont Presbyterian Church and was very proud of his association with Saint Francis University, where in 1987 was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. In 1989 the Gerald W. and Helen L. Swatsworth Faculty Merit Award was established.
It is an annual award given to an outstanding faculty member at the college’s awards convocation. He has chaired a number of fund-raising projects for many community service organizations such as the Cambria County Library, The Community Development Corporation, Junior Achievement, Boy Scouts of America and Saint Francis University. Gerald was an avid golfer and enjoyed spending his winters at Spruce Creek, Port Orange, FL.
Friends received 1-4 and 6-8 PM Monday at Westmont Presbyterian Church where Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM Tuesday. Rev. Dr. Rene’ Whitaker, officiating.
Entombment will be at Grandview Cemetery Mausoleum following the service. Family suggests donation to Westmont Presbyterian Church Music Fund, 601 Luzerne Street, Johnstown, Pa 15905 or New Florence Community Library, 122 Ligonier Street, New Florence, Pa. 15944 in memory of Gerald.
The Family is being served by Harris Funeral Home, 500 Cherry Lane, Richland. (Online condolences may be posted to (www.
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