Maynard Earl Sweeley, Sr., 82, passed away July 13, 2026, in Fernandina Beach, FL.

Mr. Sweeley has been a resident of Fernandina Beach for the past 13 years and was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church. 

He held masters degrees in Soil Sciences and Zoology.  He served two years in the U. S. Army Infantry and received two Purple Hearts for wounds received in battle in Vietnam.

He is survived by his wife Jeanne Ray of Fernandina Beach, FL; a son, Maynard Sweeley, Jr., also of Fernandina Beach; daughters, Jessica Marie Goldsmith and her spouse, David, of Blacksburg, VA, and Jessica Anne Leyden of West Harford, CT; and five grandchildren.

He dedicated his career to protecting Florida’s Wetlands.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church in Fernandina Beach at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 18.  He will be honored for this military service and interred in Arlington National Cemetery.