Obituary of Norman A. Schwartz

Norman A. Schwartz Brighton: October 11, 2009 at age 87. Predeceased by his parents, Max David & Rose Schwartz, brother, Hyman Schwartz. Survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Jeanette; devoted children, David B. (Sheri) Schwartz, Dr. Ronni (Stanley) Schwartz Monsky; adored grandchildren, Hannah & Eli Schwartz, Saskia Monsky; sister, Esther (Morrie) Gardner; sister-in-law, Dolores Schwartz; nieces & nephews. Norman was a veteran of World War II. He owned Norman A. Schwartz Realtors for over 50 years and was a lifetime member of Temple Beth El. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 2 PM in the Main Sanctuary of Temple Beth El (139 Winton Rd. S.). Click here for directions to Beth El. Interment, Mt. Hope Cemetery. Following the funeral, a period of mourning will be observed at 510 Claybourne Road, Tuesday 7-9 PM, and Wednesday & Thursday 2-4 & 7-9 PM. Click here for directions to the house of mourning. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Eulogy given by daughter, Ronni Schwartz Monsky "My Dad" I always knew that this day would come but I hoped and prayed it would be way in the future. IT is a day that all of us dread because we have to say good bye to a loved one - someone who means the world to us, who is in our very being, I loved my dad. He was just purely a good good man. I didn't realize that he taught me so much just by being so good. So many lessons from his simple goodness. It is hard to encapsulate a man’s life in a few words - so I will try and show how he made everyone who touched him so much better. My brother and I learned to be honest from him. He always said that he liked to sleep at night and he was scrupulous in all his dealings. His standards were high and he taught us that there were no honesty short cuts. He was loyal to a fault. If he loved you - you were the best. He had the best wife, the best son , the best daughter. He loved his sister, Esther, and was forever telling us how she had protected and nurtured him when he had lost his mother at twelve years old - right before his Bar Mitzvah. He loved his brother, Hy, and I saw him cry for the first time when he passed away. He loved to tell us the story of how they serendipitously found each other while serving in the Philippines during WWII. He always told me that I had to be great - because I was named after his mother Rose - who was a beautiful and sweet woman. He believed in never being the one to turn away from a friend. Once I was hurt that a friend had neglected to respond to our daughters birth. When she invited me to her own daughters Bat Mitzvah a few months later I was tempted to decline the invitation. He strongly disagreed and said that I should still go and perhaps there was a misunderstanding. He felt that one should never reject a friend. He was right. I had not known that My friend had been desperately ill for several months and had not meant to slight me. He saved a friendship from withering away. He always pushed us to do our best. We never really knew how proud he was of us until someone else told us how he bragged to them of our accomplishments. He loved his grandchildren. I am sure you will hear from others how he visited Hannah every single day that she was in day care for five years - because he needed to let the caretakers know that this was his grandchild and she was very special. (And she is so special - Hannah’s birthday is today). All the trips to Florida were remembered so fondly by Hannah, Saskia and Eli because he just loved to do what the children loved - showing them the “jungle” in the back of the Florida condo, or just playing Marco Polo in the pool. I will miss his clippings. He always sent me inspirational columns by friends and others that really showed he cared and understood our struggles. He made the time to write long letters giving me advice and propping me up when I really needed it. He was generous to his children and grandchildren. He was always sending little thoughtful gifts - such as making T-shirts with the grandchildren's sports accomplishments. He made us all feel very important . He was my North Star. I always called him when I needed inspiration. It was comforting to know he was there - always ready to prop me up when I needed it, telling me the right bit of advice. I will miss him dearly. I will miss his Piano concerts at the Jewish Home on Thursdays at 3. We used to go and enjoy his old fashioned songs and the residents responded very enthusiastically . He was so unintentionally funny - I still smile when I think of the time he answered his cell phone during a concert - while my brother and I were wildly motioning him to ignore it. He shrugged his shoulders and said “what’s wrong?” I will miss his enthusiasm. He was always introducing me to people who he met who had special talents - the best calligraphers, or orchid growers, or photographers. I will miss his strength and his surety of his views. He was my North Star because he was my rock. When I was a little girl he protected me and always made me feel secure. Now I have lost that and I am bereft. He was a good man. He was a good, no great father and a great husband. He embraced our spouses with enthusiasm and loved the grandchildren with all his heart. I will miss his shy happiness when I came to visit my parents. And I will miss his long involved missives in our House Book in the country. He wrote down every single thing that happened that weekend and I began to feel that it was more his diary than our house book. He loved everything we did for him - he said that the dinners we made were fabulous, the friends that came over were so interesting and the walks on the land were so inspiring. And I will his bravery. Everyone who saw how this independent and vital man slowed down the past few years - had to appreciate how brave he was. I told him that he inspired me and he just felt that is what one does….keep moving on. Daddy, I love you and I will miss you forever. Thank you for being the best father a girl could ever dream of. Rest in peace. Eulogy given by son-in-law, Stanley Monsky Eulogy: "Ronni's Dad" A good man has passed this way They are few and far between Life is clear to them What is right Is what is natural Dependable is Sacred Reliable is the only way Old words remember their true meaning He was good And saw the good in others Norman thought people were wonderful Loved his friends And mostly his family He was a favor Waiting to be given He was Loyal To those he loved In every way He gave himself Without question And asked No thanks A simple man Of simple taste A gift to us all Like the sunrise in the morning I was happy to know him I was proud that he loved me I know I loved him A True and wonderful man Home Brighton, New York Birthplace Brooklyn, New York