Neil A. Swartz, 71, Active church member, enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and league bowling
Neil A. Swartz, age 71, of Lorain, died Sunday, May 4, 2003 at New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph in Lorain after a lengthy illness. He was born July 15, 1931 in Lorain and had been a lifelong Lorain area resident.Mr. Swartz was a graduate of Holy Trinity Catholic School and a 1949 graduate of Lorain High School. He served with the US Navy for four years aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt.
He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local # 129 for 38 years, retiring in 1993. He served on the union Executive Board and taught the apprentice school for five years.
Mr. Swartz was a faithful member of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Lorain where he served as lector and an adult altar server. He was a member of the Nativity Holy Name Society where he was a past vice president and was named Holy Name Man of the Year in 1989. He served on the on church Liturgy Committee and as a church councilperson. He loved the church and donated his time and talents to many church projects.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Lorain where he was a 3rd degree Knight, a member of AMVETS Post #47 of Lorain, the American Slovak Club of Lorain, Slovak Catholic Sokols Branch 177, and the UPC Fisherman's Club.
He enjoyed woodworking, model airplanes, and model railroad trains, fishing, gardening, and participating in league bowling.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Rita (nee Jaworski), daughter Sharon Wilson of Lorain, son Eric Swartz of Lorain, brothers Douglas Swartz of Lorain and Donald Swartz of Texas, and stepsister Evelyn Strauser of Lorain. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Margaret (nee Slanina) Swartz and stepmother Anna (nee Turbek) Swartz.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, May 6, 2003 from 4-8 PM at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain where the Nativity Holy Name Society will pray the rosary Tuesday at 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 9:30 AM in the funeral chapel followed by a funeral mass at 10:00 AM at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 1454 Lexington Ave., Lorain. The Rev. Robert Glepko, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain, where AMVETS Post # 47 will conduct military honors.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church Organ Restoration Fund, 1454 Lexingtion Avenue, Lorain, Ohio 44052 or to the New Life Hospice, 5255 North Abbe Rd., Elyria, Ohio 44035.