Roy Harold Swensen, age 90 of The Villages, Florida, formerly of Brooklyn, New York and Huntington, Long Island, went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on August 7, 2025. Roy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was cherished and will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.
Roy was born at home in Brooklyn on March 10, 1935 to parents Gustaf and Alma Swensen. He was the youngest of 14 children, and had dozens of nieces and nephews. Roy loved his family and was never happier than when he’d gather as many family members as he could for a party.
Roy met Rigmor Olsen, the love of his life, at a party in 1955. They dated on and off for many years, and were married in Brooklyn, NY in 1966. There was never anyone for Roy, but Rigmor. They raised three children together and were happily married for 59 years.
Roy graduated from Fort Hamilton High School, and in 1957, after working in an insurance office, he enlisted in the US Army. He served for two years in the Finance Division at Fort Knox. He then attended City College of New York, while working nights to pay for his tuition. Roy spent the rest of his career as a stock broker for Merrill Lynch. Roy thoroughly enjoyed following the markets and talking with his clients. He retired from Merrill Lynch after 35 years.
Roy was gregarious. His life was full of friends and family. He loved music, singing in the choir, and attending the opera. He was a man of strong faith, and gave his time, talents, and resources to the church as an elder, and to The Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center in Brooklyn as a long-time supporter and board member.
Roy was preceded in death by parents, Gustaf and Alma Swensen, step-father, John Michelsen, and 13 brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife Rigmor; his children Karine (Paul) Moe, Andrine Swensen, and Roy Swensen, Jr.; his beloved niece, Nanette Barton; his grandchildren Avery (Nick) Jensen, Halsey Moe, and Gabriel Richter; dozens of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
A funeral service will be live streamed, with details to come at a future date. Roy will be interred at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.