Manhattan Fire Commissioner Mourned, Remembered For Devotion To Town

MANHATTAN, IL — The Manhattan Fire Protection District is mourning the death of one of its longtime commissioners.

James A. Swyndro died Sunday, Feb. 4. He was 79 years old, and had served as a fire district commissioner for 20 years.

Swyndro is preceded in death by his wife—and grade school sweetheart—Pam, whom he married in 1966 and who died in 2022. His parents Joseph and Margaret, and brother Daniel, also departed before him, according to his obituary.

Swyndro was a graduate of Dwight High School and Northern Illinois University. He was drafted and served his country with the U.S. Army during Vietnam.

He is remembered as a faithful member of Manhattan United Methodist Church, and devoted volunteered at Operation Care Package and the Manhattan Food Pantry, service he and Pam both enjoyed. He enjoyed traveling, hiking, and backpacking. He appreciated the outdoors and visited Yellowstone, the Appalachian Trail, and the California Pacific Crest Trail. He also biked extensively on the Katy Trail in Missouri, his obituary reads.

"Jim was an active community member; he was proud to serve as a Fire Commissioner on the Manhattan Fire Department for the past 20 years and served until his passing," his obituary reads. "Jim left an impact on those he met throughout his life and will be dearly missed."

Swyndro is survived by his son Brian Swyndro, his sister Jane Swyndro, his niece Heidi (Wayne) Swyndro, his sister-in-law Karen Swyndro and his faithful canine companion "Katy."

Visitation was set for Monday, Feb. 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Forysthe Gould Funeral Home. Funeral service will take place the same evening at 7 p.m. Private inurnment will take place Tuesday, Feb. 13 at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, in Elwood.