Gary W. Sworen

Gary Walter Sworen, 70, Mountain Top, entered the arms of our Lord on June 19, 2025, after fiercely fighting Parkinson's for decades.

Born in Duryea, he was the son of Walter & Mary Sworen. He graduated from Pittston Area High School, Luzerne County Community College, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glencoe, Georgia, and the New York State Police Academy for Homicide Investigations.

Gary began his law enforcement career at 18 as a patrolman for Duryea Borough, later becoming Chief for many years. He later accepted a position with the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office as a detective and attained the position of detective lieutenant for 30 years until his retirement. During his tenure at the District Attorney's Office, he was also an instructor for the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Institute in Harrisburg.

Gary's significant accomplishments include the creation of the Luzerne County Children's Advocacy Center, under the guidance of then-District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll. His testimony was instrumental in changing the law, allowing Children and Youth Services to share information with law enforcement agencies throughout Pennsylvania. Gary also established the first Sex Crimes Unit for Luzerne County under the direction of the then-District Attorney Robert Gillespie.

Gary has been mentioned in numerous books and publications, and he has appeared on national television shows as an expert in Child Abuse and homicide cases. He has investigated hundreds of major crimes, including homicides and child abuse cases, and was always admired for his knowledge of investigations by prosecutors, police, and judges. Gary was a ferocious advocate for victims.

Gary loved football and started the Duryea Wildcats' knee-high football team and later coached the Mountain Top Blitz and Crestwood High School Football Teams. He was also a faithful fan of the NY Giants.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 38 years, Corine, along with their daughters, Nicole (Nikki) Sworen of Mountain Top and Samantha (Sammi) Wychock and her husband, Michael, of Bear Creek Township.

Gary was a member of St. Jude's in Mountain Top, where he served on the building committee for the new church.

Celebration of Gary's Life begins Thursday, June 26, 2025, with visitation from 4 to 7 PM at McLaughlin's, 142 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre. It continues there on Friday, June 27, 2025, with gathering from 9:30 to 10:30 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 AM in the Church of Saint Jude, 420 South Mountain Boulevard in Mountain Top.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude's Building Fund, Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Foundation, or a charity of the donor's choice.

Share memories and condolences with Gary's family at mjmclaughlin.com