John L. Swearingen Jr., age 83, of Plainville passed away on Monday, January 12, 2026, at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence, Rhode Island. He was the son of the late John Louis Swearingen Sr., and the late Mabel (Hopkins) Swearingen.

John was a proud graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. After receiving his undergraduate and Masters degrees in electrical engineering, he went on to achieve his Doctor of Philosophy at Boston University. John was employed as an engineer at Electric Boat in Groton; taught in the overseas graduate program for Boston University; and was on the faculty at Bryant University for the majority of his teaching career where his major areas of special interest included operations management, operation research and the use of computers in business. He collaborated with colleagues to produce college level text books for use in these fields.

John had a deep love for the state of Maine, especially Penobscot Bay, where he enjoyed sailing. He loved being on the water and was a skilled fly fisherman, tying his own flies and portaging his canoe to remote areas in Maine's lake country. John had a knack for capturing beautiful scenes while practicing his hobby of photography. The pictures he took reflected his love of the natural world and the beauty within his heart. His artistic talents also included painting with oils and carving small figures from wood.

John was an excellent woodworker. He was proud of the cherry wood kitchen cabinets he created for his home and took pleasure in building a deck for his family to enjoy time together on. In his youth he was also an avid ham radio operator, using this expertise in service of his local community.

John was the beloved husband for 44 years of Carolyn (Cicack) Barrett.

He was the devoted father of Michael Barrett of New York, Kevin Barrett of North Attleboro and Katherine Barrett and her husband, Robert Schroeder, of Whittier, California.

John was the cherished grandfather of Erich Schroeder and Rebecca Schroeder.

He was the loving brother of Lee Swearingen and her husband, John McDonald, of Wallingford, Connecticut.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Memorial Mass of Consolation on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Martha Roman Catholic Church, 221 South Street, Plainville, MA. Visitation for John will also be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, Massachusetts, immediately followed by a funeral service at 7:00 p.m. in the "Memorial Chapel".

In lieu of flowers, contributions in John's memory may be made to Rosie's Place, 889 Harrison Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02118.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, Massachusetts 02763. (508) 695-0200.

For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com