Alfred Gene Swinton, 72, of Bloomfield, CT peacefully entered eternal rest at St. Francis Hospital on Monday, May 3, 2021.  The son of Jesse James and Sarah Sally (Jackson) Swinton, he was born on Tuesday, September 28, 1948 in Palatka, FL.  He was a participant in the first desegregated class at Palatka South High School via voluntary transfer in the 1965-1966 school year.  Upon graduation from Palatka South in 1966, he relocated to Bloomfield, CT with his relatives.  Following the completion of an associate degree at Greater Hartford Community College, he worked for The Hartford as a data processor.  After an almost 14-year tenure with The Hartford, he acquired employment with Life Insurance Marketing & Research Association (LIMRA), where he worked for approximately 7 years.  His passion for tinkering with automobiles and electronics while employed with The Hartford and LIMRA flourished even more when his work with LIMRA concluded.  Simultaneously, he immersed himself in multiple entrepreneurial endeavors.

An affable man with a unique sense of humor, Alfred nevertheless bore the burden of more than 18 years of incarceration for a crime that he did not commit.  DNA evidence proved his innocence, and he was fully exonerated on March 1, 2018.  He spent his last years thanking and serving God, his Master; enjoying and spending quality time with family; and striving to manage his health.  He never gave up!

In addition to his parents, Alfred was preceded in eternal rest by his sister, Helen Ware Jackson; six brothers, Preston Jackson, Eugene Redding, James Theodore Ware, Dr. Robert Ware, Johnny Lee Ware and Larry Leon Swinton.

He leaves to cherish his memories: two sons whom he loved dearly, Alvin (Mary) Swinton, New Britain, CT; Reginald Swinton, Bloomfield, CT; two dear and loving sisters: a tenacious advocate and committed caregiver, Pastor Jessie S. White, Bloomfield, CT; Jannie Redmond, Apopka, FL; two adored grandchildren, Charnelle Swinton, Hartford, CT; Anisa Swinton, Springfield, MA; a precious great-grandson, Tashorn Smith, Jr., Hartford, CT; two treasured nieces, Cheryl (Marvin) White-Mink, Bloomfield, CT; Lisa White-Smith, Windsor, CT; and a host of other cherished nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and other relatives.

A Celebration of Life will be held 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 26 at "Flagg's Chapel of Serenity." Reverend Karl N. Flagg, officiating. Interment will be in Palatka Memorial Gardens. CDC guidelines will be followed.