Ross M. Swientisky

Ross Mathew Swientisky, 65, loving husband of Mariola Miedzinski of Hamden, passed away unexpectedly on September 21, 2026. Born in Willingboro, NJ November 15, 1960, he was the son of the late Edward and Eleanor Kovac Swientisky. Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Adam Miedzinski, Izabel Miedzinski, Kris Swientisky, Barbara Davenport, and Louis Zucchi, IV; grandchildren, Derek Miedzinski, Emma Doull, Stanley Dennis, and Wyatt Doull; two brothers, Neal (Donna) Swientisky and Christopher Swientisky; and his nieces and nephews, Paige, Gabriella, Olivia, Nicholas, and Elenor. He is predeceased by his parents and his brother, Drew Swientisky.

Friends are invited to visit with Ross’s family on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 12 to 1 p.m. at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, and may also attend a Catholic prayer service at 1 p.m. in the funeral home.

Ross’s story began in a family with three brothers, where hard work was simply a part of life. As a boy, he helped his mother in the garden, shared household chores with his brothers, and developed a love of dirt bikes alongside his father. Those early experiences helped shape the strong work ethic, curiosity, and adventurous spirit that stayed with him throughout his life. That adventurous side never left him. Years later, he still loved getting together with friends for off-road riding trips, enjoying the freedom of the ride, the camaraderie, and the chance to explore new places. After attending college in Texas, Ross worked as a plumber before returning to New England. He explored many different jobs and interests over the years, always willing to learn something new and take on new challenges. Eventually, he found his true calling in engineering, helping build planes and helicopters, a career that combined his intelligence, dedication, and love of problem-solving. Ross loved to travel and experience new places. One of his favorite adventures was a trip to Poland. He embraced the culture, enjoyed the people, and attended a traditional Polish wedding that he proudly talked about for years afterward. He loved seeing new places, meeting new people, and collecting stories that he would later share with family and friends. He also enjoyed spending time with family, including visits with his dad, his stepmother Eleni, and his sisters. Those relationships meant a great deal to him throughout his life. A few years ago, Ross and his wife took over a Polish deli, a venture that combined his love of food, people, and hard work. It became a true labor of love and gave him the opportunity to showcase his cooking talents and create the kind of welcoming atmosphere he was known for throughout his life. People came back again and again for his homemade specialties, especially his potato salad with bacon, fried liver, and beef roast. For Ross, food was never just about a meal. It was about bringing people together, creating memories, and sharing something of himself with others. As time went on, Ross stepped back from the day-to-day operations to focus on his work at the plane factory, where he continued building the aircraft he was so passionate about. But he was always involved, always interested, and always ready to lend a hand whenever needed. The deli remained close to his heart, just as the people who walked through its doors remained important to him. Family was at the center of Ross’s life, and one of the values he cared about most was teaching his children good manners and respect for others. He believed that how you treat people matters, and he worked hard to instill those values in his kids. Being polite, considerate, and respectful was not just something he talked about, it was something he lived every day and passed on through his example. He made sure all of his children knew how to take care of themselves and the things they owned, believing everyone should know how to change a tire, check their oil, and solve problems on their own. Above all, he loved to teach anyone who wanted to learn. Whether at work or at home, he shared his knowledge freely and always took the time to help others grow. His family knew they could always count on him. Every Christmas, he would give Iza one of his famous handyman coupons, a promise that whenever she needed something fixed, Ross would be there to help. It became a cherished tradition and a perfect reflection of who he was: dependable, generous, and always willing to lend a hand. Ross was a man of many talents and passions. He loved playing the drums, bringing energy, rhythm, and joy wherever he played. A gifted musician, he performed in several bands over the years and had an extraordinary ear for music. Friends could name almost any song, and if Ross had heard it even once, he could often sit down at the drums and play it flawlessly. One of the stories that perfectly captures his sense of adventure and humor was his time playing alongside Wild Bill, who famously lit his hands on fire while playing the keyboard. He was also someone who loved bringing people together. Sunday dinners, football games, and gatherings with family and friends were among his favorite ways to spend time. He was an amazing cook, especially when it came to seafood and steaks. His Thanksgiving dinners became a cherished tradition, and many enjoyed sharing his legendary home-brewed beer creation, the RossinHammer. His home was always full of good food, laughter, stories, and people who felt welcome in his presence. Ross had a vibrant and healthy competitive spirit. Whether he was challenging someone to arm wrestle, throwing horseshoes, or simply horsing around with his kids, he loved a good challenge and brought enthusiasm to everything he did. His laugh was contagious, and he got a real kick out of himself and the people around him. Even during difficult times, he had a way of lightening the mood and helping others find something to smile about. He could often turn a tough moment into a better one simply by being himself. He was truly a man of many talents: an engineer, chef, medic, talented handyman, musician, and trivia mastermind. He loved Jeopardy and had a remarkable ability to shout out the right answers from the couch, often leaving everyone amazed by the depth and range of his knowledge. Curiosity and lifelong learning were part of who he was. Ross loved animals, and animals seemed to love him right back. He was calm, cool, and collected in difficult situations, the kind of person people naturally turned to when things got tough. He would help anyone who needed it, and his family and friends knew they could always count on him. He also loved cars. He enjoyed driving, talking about cars, working on them, and sharing that passion with others. He especially enjoyed driving family cars and rental cars on trips, always appreciating the experience of getting behind the wheel. One of his favorites was his El Camino, and true to Ross’s fun-loving personality, he even installed seats in the bed so more people could join the ride. Ross lived his life with heart and grit. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, generosity, laughter, knowledge, kindness, and love. He welcomed others with warmth, taught by example, and brought people together through food, music, stories, friendship, and family. Whether he was building aircraft, playing the drums, teaching a life lesson, hosting a holiday dinner, sharing a home-brewed beer, taking an off-road trip with friends, fixing something for a loved one, or simply making someone laugh, Ross made every moment richer for those around him. He adored his family and especially cherished the time spent with those closest to him. He loved Mariola and everyone around him. The lessons he shared, the memories he created, and the lives he touched will continue long after him. He will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and never forgotten. Rest in peace, Ross. Thank you for the wisdom, the laughter, the music, the stories, the helping hand that was always there when someone needed it, and the love you shared so generously with everyone fortunate enough to know you. Your memory will live on in the countless lives you shaped and in the family and friends who will carry your spirit with them always.