Franklin – Paul Michael Swofford, 54, passed away on Saturday, February 27, 2021 in Asheville at Mission Hospital, of complications from diabetes. Paul was born in Fort Myers, Florida in 1966.
Paul was preceded in death by his mother Ida Maria, and is survived by his father, Terry, his step-mother, Darlene, brother, Ronald, all of Franklin; Aunt, Michal Ann of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Also his companion, Melissa Tallent, and his dog, Nevaeh, that was usually with him.
Paul graduated from Franklin High School in 1985. Prior to moving to Franklin he lived with his father in New Orleans, where he developed a love of cooking. He then went to Asheville to pursue his cooking career. He graduated with a Culinary Arts Degree from AB Tech in 1987.
After graduation Paul spent several years in Highlands working as a chef at Hildegardes German Restaurant, Wolfgangs, and The Old Edwards Inn. He also worked in Helen, Georgia, the Chatooga Club in Cashiers, and spent several years on the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad out of Dillsboro, which featured dinner trains on the weekends and Thomas the Train and the Polar Express, which were great fun for kids of all ages. He also did many cooking segments on the noon news at WLOS Asheville.
Paul returned to Franklin and spent several years at Caffé Rel, one of Franklin’s best Restaurants. He enjoyed the time there but again was drawn back to Highlands. He retired in 2019 to pursue other interests outside of the kitchen.
There will be a memorial service at 3 p.m. on Monday, April 12, at Trinity Church, 6971 Georgia Rd. in Franklin, Pastor JD Watson presiding. The service may be streamed during or after at trinitywnc.com.
Memorial Contributions can be made to Trinity Church or to the American Diabetes Association online at diabetes.org.