Robert E. “Swede” Boergesson of Southold died on Jan. 16, 2022. He was 83 years old.
He was born on Feb. 1, 1938 in Greenport to Fred and Helen Boergesson. He graduated from Southold High School in 1955 and then joined the U.S. Navy. After his service he went to school to earn a degree in nursing. Later in life he earned a bachelor of science in nursing.
He worked as a registered nurse at Eastern Long Island Hospital working in the operating room, SUNY Stony Brook Hospital where he helped design their operating rooms, the traumatic head injury facility at St. Charles Hospital, returned to Stony Brook as the kidney transplant coordinator, he worked with those with mental health issues as a supervisor at Kings Park Hospital, as a school nurse at Maryhaven Center of Hope and a morgue clerk at the Suffolk County Medical Examiners office.
He was a long standing member of Association of Operating Room Nurses. He served as a member and president on the Southold School Board of Education and the Eastern Suffolk BOCES Board of Education. He was a founding member of the Southold School Athletic Association and a president of the Southold School Educational Foundation. He joined the Southold Fire Department at 18 years old and was a member of the Hook and Ladder and served as the Infection Control Officer.
He was predeceased by his wife Jo, brother Bud and sister Jean Kart. He is survived by his children Cheryle (Tom) Amara, Bob (Chris), Judi Fouchet, Bill and Erik (Jen), grandchildren Jonathan (Amy) Schlachter, Allison Schlachter, Bailey (PM) Paganelli, Chelsea (Charles) Ciambria, Michael (Kellie) Fouchet, Jacob, Nicolas Amara, Christian Fouchet, Alex, Peter Fouchet, Brigham, Chloe and Samuel and four great-grandchildren.
The family will receive visitors on Friday, Jan. 28 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold, where Firematic Services will be held at 6 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment with U.S. Navy Honors will follow at St. Patrick’s R.C. Cemetery in Southold.
In lieu of flowers donations to Southold Fire Department, Southold School Educational Foundation, Disabled American Veterans or Shriners Children’s Hospital would be appreciated. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.