Warren Swartz

Local resident and civic leader Warren Swartz went to rest on the evening of Thursday, October 6th at the age of 77. Born on June 16, 1934 to Harold and Margaret Swartz in Brooklyn, New York, he distinguished himself in sports and music. While at Manhattan College, Warren met and later married Merle Joan White, his wife of 56 years. In 1954, Warren joined the defense industry as a machinist for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and began working with the emerging jet engine technology manufacturing division in Connecticut. During that time Warren was very active in the community as a Little League baseball coach and on the building committee for the local Notre Dame Church. In 1979 he was selected to head up the team responsible for building, staffing and operating a new manufacturing plant in North Berwick, which successfully opened in 1980 and is still in operation today. While in Sanford, Warren served as president of the Town Club, was a member of the Sanford Kiwanis Club, and a Sergeant in the local Salvation Army. He volunteered to tutor children at Sanford High School and Sanford Junior High School, served on the finance committee of the H. D. Goodall Hospital, was chairman of the town Warrant Committee, and a leader in the Right to Life movement. Retirement did not slow him down as he served on the Federal Grand Jury in Portland and worked as a field worker for the National Census Bureau. His life-long interest in cars led him to seek part-time employment at Auto Zone in Sanford, where he worked until his passing. He worked on the committee to build the new Goodall Park in town and was a long-time supporter of the Sanford Mainers summer baseball team serving as a host family for many players. Warren touched many lives and hearts and will be missed by all. A man of many opinions, Warren shared them in columns he wrote for both the Portland Press Herald and the Journal Tribune for several years. Survivors include his wife Joan Swartz of Sanford, son Kevin Swartz of California, daughter Cynthia Swartz and her husband Steve Holmes of Wallingford, CT, son Stephen Swartz and his wife Leslie of Denton, TX, son Lawrence Swartz and his wife Annie of Plympton, MA, sister Peggy Richards of RI, 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. At the request of the family no public memorial service will be held.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Salvation Army, P. O. Box 391, Sanford, ME 04073.Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. Condolences may be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.