John Bernard Swanekamp

John Bernard Swanekamp, 97, of Chapel Hill, NC, and formerly of Sunset Beach, NC, and Allentown, NJ, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, April 29, 2026.

Bernie was born in Baltimore, MD on July 8, 1928 to Frederick Swanekamp and Edith Mainhart Swanekamp. He grew up in Cranford, NJ, and met his wife, Patricia Johnson, at Cranford High School, where they graduated in 1946. Pat and Bernie were married for 68 years before she passed in 2018.

They built their life in Allentown, NJ. Bernie and his brother, Fred, built a wholesale greenhouse business — growing annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables — into one of the largest on the East Coast. It is now run by his sons and grandson. Bernie and Pat retired in Sunset Beach, NC, where they enjoyed golf, the beautiful beach and travel.

Survivors include his children, Elaine Hovell (Dean) of Crownsville, MD, John Swanekamp (Diane) and Robert Swanekamp (Mary Ellen) of Allentown, NJ, and Thomas Swanekamp (Lee Ann) of Chapel Hill; his grandchildren, Robert, Bret, Andrew, Lauren, Christopher, Amanda, Scott and Joseph; and 14 great-grandchildren.

They will cherish Bernie’s memory and remain forever grateful for the immense love he shared with his family.