Clyde H. Chetwynde, 59, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Swampscott, died on April 12. 

Father Chetwynde was born on February 9, 1949, one of four children of Clyde and Ruth (Josselyn) Chetwynde.  The family resided for several years on Chapel Street in Duxbury.  Clyde graduated from DHS in 1968 and, afterwards, attended Greenfield Community College in Greenfield.{sidebar id=4}

Father Chetwynde acted as a youth counselor in Duxbury during the 1970’s and the 1973 DHS Yearbook read, “Everyone knows how difficult it is to be a parent or a teacher.  What people often forget is how difficult it is to be a friend.  A true friend listens, when others merely talk.  He helps when others seem only to promise. The class of 1973 dedicates its yearbook to a true friend, Clyde Chetwynde, Jr.”

Chetwynde converted to the Roman Catholic faith and later entered St. John’s Seminary in Brighton.  He was ordained to the priesthood on June 14, 1980 and served at parishes in Franklin, Chelsea, Medway, Wrentham, Townsend and Swampscott.  Father Chetwynde also served as Chaplain at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky. for two years.  Seminary contemporaries recall that Clyde was “unfailingly kind,” “self-effacing,” and especially possessed “the driest wit.” 

Father Chetwynde leaves his sisters, Lynn Mulrooney of Chelmsford and Ellen Tousey,  of Florida and a brother Daniel also of Florida.

Donations may be made to Children’s Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 or the American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham. MA 01701.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 25 at 4:30 p.m. at Holy Family Church in Duxbury.