In Memory
It is with profound sadness the A.R.M.S. Inc. shares the news that Richard E. Swan our Founder & President passed away on July 3rd, 2018.
It was a great privilege to know him and work along side him.
Mr. Swan has named his daughter Jackie Swan as his successor. Jackie will be taking over Dick’s role as President of A.R.M.S. Inc.
RICHARD E. SWAN Obituary
SWAN, Richard E. Proud Inventor 77, of East Bridgewater, owner and CEO of A.R.M.S., Inc. in West Bridgewater, passed away peacefully in his home on July 3, 2018. His daughter Jackie Swan and Stephen Fernau were by his side. “Dick” was the only child of the late Ralph and Mildred (Emerson) Swan and grew up in West Bridgewater. He was a graduate of West Bridgewater High School, Class of 1959. Before starting his beloved company, Atlantic Research Marketing Systems, Inc. (A.R.M.S., Inc.), Dick was the proud owner of his own paint store, and then the owner of the Red Barn clock shop in West Bridgewater. Dick was also a police officer and detective in neighboring towns. He was a true “jack of all trades”, always busy with a new invention, design, or building his own company alongside his late wife, Sharon Swan. A.R.M.S., Inc. was his proudest achievement, where he has left a legacy of products and innovations that helped shape the firearms industry. His innovation in design has garnered over 100 patents. Dick was proud of his business, and remained a part of its daily tasks until the very end.
When Dick wasn’t at work, he could be found on his estate working on his private park, proudly named, Swan Lake. Over time, Dick acquired over 80 acres, where his family spent many Fourth of July’s, birthday parties, fishing, and downtime at the dock with his late wife, Sharon. Dick was also an avid collector of antique cars, Pontiac’s making up most of his collection.
Dick was the loving husband of the late Sharon E. Swan and father of Jaclyn E. Swan of East Bridgewater and proud “Grampa” of Audrey, Lucy, Sydney, Reagan, Ivy, Oliver, and Finley. Family and friends are cordially invited to the Prophett-Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 98 Bedford St., Bridgewater on Wed., July 11th for a visitation period from 4-8pm. A funeral service will be held on Thurs., July 12th at 10:00am followed by the burial at Melrose Cemetery, Brockton. Close family and friends are welcome to attend the bereavement luncheon to celebrate Richard’s life at the Canoe Club, 2 South Street, West Bridgewater, following the services at the cemetery. For online guestbook and dir’s visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com
Prophett-Chapman
Cole & Gleason
508-697-4332
Sharon Swan June 2, 1951 – February 19, 2015.
Sharon, her Husband Richard (Dick) Swan, and Mother-in-law Mildred Swan, established their family business, A.R.M.S., Inc. together in 1980. Sharon was very dedicated and proud of her company, Atlantic Research Marketing Systems, Inc. (A.R.M.S. Inc.) It was also the same year that Sharon and Dick were married. Sharon remained the Executive vice president of the company for 35 years. Upon the death of her mother-in-law Mildred in 1989, Sharon displayed more of her exceptional abilities to master any new tasks, including reaching out to many customers from around the world. Her fondest duties were working with America’s Military Personnel, “MY SOLDIERS”!, and supplying services and equipment to their many needs, and government contracts. The many products Sharon controlled were all invented, developed and manufactured by Sharon and her husband working as a team that loved working together. Sharon organized and hosted many professional trade shows and company parties, plus their annual small town 4th of July celebrations in East Bridgewater at their home on Swan Lake. She also loved her new high mountain winter home in South Carolina. She had hobbies in sewing, quilting, baking, church events, cowboy movies, riding around in her antique cars, spending time at her lake feeding the fish, listening to the frogs, relaxing on the dock her husband Richard built for her, plus her flower beds, 50s music and dancing, with Elvis Presley’s “The Wonder of you” being her favorite song. Sharon loved traveling with her husband, with many trips to Europe, around the country, a cruise to Alaska, a Caribbean cruise with sister Susan and daughter Kelly, as well as a trip to Paris with her daughter Jaclyn. Most of all, Sharon loved taking care of her family and friends and made many donations to charities and causes in East Bridgewater. She loved people, and loved helping others. Always with a smile, and never one to complain, even with the complications of Multiple Sclerosis, (MS). A stronger and more dedicated and loving woman can not be found.
CSM Martin Barreras October 7, 1964 – May 13, 2014
Marty Barreras was a dear friend of the Swan family, and a true American Hero. Marty will forever be in our hearts and prayers.
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