Paul “Duke” Swatek

Paul “Duke” Swatek of Lake Geneva left this world to be with the Lord on Oct. 9, joining his son Tim, his parents and his brothers and sister.

Paul “Duke”was born on Aug. 1, 1935, the youngest of eight children to Joe and Esther (nee Retzer) Swatek in Port Washington, Wis.

In high school, he was a drum instructor for the Cedarburg Thunderbolts Drum and Bugle Corps and also a bugler and drummer in the Port Washington Legion Drum Corps.

He joined the U.S. Marines in 1954 and served in the Pacific Pac Drum and Bugle Corps as a music arranger and first drummer.

After his service, he returned to Port Washington to work in the family business, and in 1958 he married his high school sweetheart Nancy Haseley. In 1962, they and their two young children moved to Lake Geneva.

Paul “Duke” became involved with the Toastmasters Club and later became very active with the Knights of Columbus at St. Francis de Sales, helping with their monthly breakfasts for many years. He served as grand knight several times and was also a member of the 4th Degree.

Paul was a devout Catholic, serving as lector and usher for many years.

He later became a realtor, working for Keefe Real Estate and served as president of the Lakes Area Realtor Association.

In addition to being an accomplished musician and public speaker, Paul was a talented builder and handyman. He designed and helped build the family home in Lake Geneva and helped renovate several of his children’s homes.

Paul was a loving father to Tim, Lynne, Amy (Tom) Giovannoni and Laurel Jo (Matt) Schulz; grandfather to Zachary and Dylan (Amber) Giovannoni, Jeremy (KC) Coleman, Carly (Hintz, Scotty), Abby (John Ferry) and Emmet and Hasely Schulz; and great-grandfather to six.

In addition to his devotion to his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Paul had a close relationship with many of his nieces, nephews, friends and extended family members. He will be greatly missed.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses and EMTs at Burlington Memorial and Lakeland Hospitals for their kindness and amazing care.

Services will be held on Nov. 3, 2023, at St. Francis de Sales in Lake Geneva, Wis. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m., with a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m.

Lazarczyk Family Funeral Homes of Lake Geneva is proudly serving the family.