Ronald MacCaully Swift, 76, of St. Petersburg, Florida passed away on Friday, September 27, 2019.

He was born on March 19, 1943 in New York City, New York, the son of Horneck MacCaully Swift and Dorothy Lee Gregg. He married Carey Barnes on September 28, 1989 in the Bronx, New York. Together they shared 30 years of marriage. His life will be cherished by siblings Beverly Pope, Victor G. Swift, and Sheila Coles; children Ishaq Swift, Malachi Swift, Eric White, Monique Swift Jernigan, Azar King, Walida King, Natalie Swift, and Bilal King, many nieces and nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many many friends.

Ronald was preceded in death by his father and mother, Horneck MacCaully Swift and Dorothy Lee Gregg. In his earlier years, Ronald worked in EMS  as a first responder, the US Postal Service, and at Ortech. His life passion and work lead him to be of service to the youth. He worked as a house parent in New York City, as a Juvenile Probation Officer in Florida, and as a teacher’s aide at Al Madrasa Al Islamiya in New York.  He was also called to serve in the US Army, 1st Cavalry Division during Vietnam.  Along with his multiple community outreach endeavors, he belonged to the Quran Society of New York and his work impacted many lives.

Ronald was a man of many interests and talents. He was a jazz enthusiast who enjoyed studying the scriptures, gardening, reading, fishing, and watching karate movies. In his earlier quest for peace, he adopted Islam as a way of life and lived under the name Abdul Muta Ali.

Ronald will be remembered as a man of integrity and strength and as a gentle giant. He strove to live as a monotheist devoting himself to God alone. Ronald will be remembered for his friendly personality, for his joviality, and as a loving and kind family man. He always had words of wisdom for the youth and his caring spirit will be remembered by those whose lives he encountered and touched.

We, the family of Ronald M. Swift, would like to express our deepest appreciation to God for all the families and friends who extended comforting messages, floral tributes, their time, and other expressions of kindness.

Services and Ceremonies in Ronald’s honor are being arranged by Veterans Funeral Care.  All will take place on Thursday October 3rd, 2019 in Sarasota.   Viewing/Visitation will be hosted at Maloney Funeral Home (2401 Cattleman Rd, Sarasota, 34232.  Between Fruitville Rd and Bee Ridge Rd) at 10:30am.  Funeral Service will follow at 11:30am.  Mr. Swift will be interred at Sarasota National Cemetery (9810 SR 72, Sarasota, 34241) at 1:30pm with military honors being performed by US Army Funeral Detail and American Legion Post 159.