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Col. Warren Edwards Sweetser Obituary

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Col. Warren Edwards Sweetser

Cedar Grove, NJ

August 29, 1936 - November 17, 2020

Col. Warren Edwards Sweetser Obituary

Col. Warren Edwards Sweetser, III, USMC (Retired) August 29, 1936 - November 17, 2020 Colonel Warren E. “Skip” Sweetser, III USMC (Retired), died peacefully at home in Verona, NJ with his family by his side on November 17, 2020. Born in Boston, Skip lived all over the country, growing up as the elder son of Brigadier General Warren E. “Ned” Sweetser, Jr., USMC (Retired) and Janice Davis Sweetser. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Nancy Hayes Sweetser and their four children, Susann, Wes, Janice, and Seth, and their families. Skip graduated from Fishburne Military Academy in Waynesboro, Virginia. As a plebe at the Naval Academy, Skip was recruited to join the crew team and found a lifelong passion. Upon his graduation from the Naval Academy in 1960, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. That same summer, the Navy Crew Team won the US Olympic trials and headed to the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy. Lifelong friendships with his teammates and memories of this time were very dear to Skip. This year marks the 60th anniversary of his Olympic adventure. Skip served for thirty-three years as a US Marine. As an infantry officer, Skip was assigned to the First Marine Brigade in Kaneohe, Hawaii where he served as a Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer, and the Regimental Assistant Operations Officer. In 1965, on board the USS Galveston, and again in 1968 he served in Vietnam. In his second tour he served as Battalion and Brigade Advisor to the Vietnamese Marine Corps in the Mekong Delta, RVN. In 1969, he returned to the Naval Academy as an Instructor in the Weapons Department, a Company Officer and the Varsity Lightweight Crew Coach. Following that assignment, Skip served in Camp Lejeune, at Headquarters Marine Corps, and in Rhode Island at the Naval War College, where he graduated “With Highest Distinction.” His career was highlighted with commands including 2nd ANGLICO, FSSG, and First Battalion 2nd Marines in Camp Lejeune, NC. One of his proudest accomplishments was to be one of the oldest Marines to graduate from Army Airborne School in Fort Benning, Georgia. He was forty-five when he earned his Gold Jump Wings. Skip ended his career working with NATO as the Fleet Marine Officer for the Second Fleet in Europe and Norfolk, Virginia. After his retirement from the Marine Corps, he was the head of Security for Household Credit Services in Chesapeake, Virginia. Colonel Sweetser’s personal decorations include two Bronze Star Medals with Combat ”V”, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals with Combat “V”, The Presidential Unit Citation, Navy and Meritorious Unit Commendation Medals, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and various campaign and service awards. The biggest part of Skip’s world was the love of his life, and wife of 59 years, Nancy. Their life together spanned twenty-one houses in seven states. Skip was a happily devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a lion of a man with a huge heart and a warm welcome. His smile, his wit, and his willingness to lead in any situation will be forever missed. His devotion was deep and strong, including his devotion to his children and grandchildren’s athletic endeavors. From the football and lacrosse field, to the swimming pool, from the golf course to the regatta, he loved watching and coaching his children and grandchildren. Skip will be remembered for his love of our country. Patriotic and proud, he loved the Naval Academy and the Marine Corps. In addition to Nancy, Skip is survived by his four children; Susann Sweetser Connors (wife of Jim) of Montclair, NJ and their five children, Nell Connors Warren (wife of Will), Mary Kate, Beth, Allison and Jimmy Connors; Warren E. “Wes” Sweetser, IV (husband of Sandy) and their two children, Warren E. “Ren” Sweetser, V and Macy; Janice Sweetser Linaugh (wife of Mark) and their two children, Mira and Claire Linaugh; and R. Seth Sweetser (husband of Tiffany) and their three children, Sam, Luke and Sutton. He was predeceased this year by his younger brother William Davis Sweetser and his sister-in-law Susann Hayes Hoke (Nancy’s identical twin sister). He is also survived by his large extended family: Sandra Sweetser (Duxbury, MA), J. Russell Hoke, II (Bethlehem, PA), Robert Hayes (Duxbury, MA), Ellen Hayes (Scituate, MA), Joseph and Kathy Hayes (Scituate, MA), Elizabeth and Scott Schrader (Aiken, SC), Michael Hayes (Scituate, MA) and Patricia and Richard Gordon (Barrington, RI); along with 20 nieces and nephews. Due to the current health crisis, a celebration of his life will be held in August, 2021. His ashes will be interred in the columbarium at the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Skip’s memory to the 1960 USNA Olympic Crew Fund at the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation. Checks may be made payable to “USNA Foundation/1960 Olympic Crew Fund” should be mailed to the USNA Foundation at 274 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402. Shook’s Cedar Grove Funeral Home, 486 Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove, N.J. is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences can be expressed at www.shookscedargrove.com. Eternal Father, grant, we pray, To all Marines, both night and day, The courage, honor, strength, and skill Their land to serve, thy law fulfill; Be thou the shield forevermore From every peril to the Corps. (The Navy Hymn) Semper Fi

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