Obituary: Thomas J. Schwartz, 92; Formerly Of West Haven

WEST HAVEN, CT — (Contributed): Thomas J. Schwartz was born in West Haven, CT on March 30, 1931 to Max and Elizabeth Schwartz. He had one sister, Claire Zeman, who predeceased him.

His nieces Karen Forman (Mark) and Suzanne Schmidt (George) and nephew, Tom Zeman, all played an important role in Tom's life when he lived in Connecticut. He has kept in touch with his boyhood friends in Connecticut: "Pete" Moore (Jeannie) and Milo Bowen all these years.

After graduating from the Citadel Military Academy in 1953 with a business degree, he embraced military life in the Air Force as a 1st Lieutenant in the Korean Campaign from 1953 to 1955. and was stationed in Hokkaido, Japan.

After completing his service years, he moved to Gainesville, Florida, where he attended the University of Florida, graduating in 1960 with a juris doctorate degree. After graduation he was employed at Kurzinger and Honchell law firm from 1960 to 1963. He moved to West Palm Beach in 1963 and began a 30-year legal career with the Central and South Florida Water Management District, culminating in his position as the District Counsel for the latter years at the State organization.

After retiring from the District, he became Of Counsel at Carlton Fields law firm in 1993 to 1997. He then became a mediator and arbitrator for the State of Florida Supreme Court, litigating jury cases involving eminent domain and other condemnation cases in the State of Florida until 2012.

In 1966 Tom met and married "the love of his life," Sally Reaney, in 1966 and had a lifetime love affair for 57 years. They had two marvelous sons, Tom Jr. and David (Renata), over 50 years ago, with whom they celebrated many, many years of family activities such as baseball games, boating and lobstering in the Florida Keys, and welcomed five grandchildren: Sienna Wagner (Mark), Madison Schwartz, Logan Schwartz, Cameron Schwartz and Lane Schwartz; and one great-grandson (Jude Thomas Wagner) during their time together.

Tom was very active his entire life either playing sports or coaching sports. His favorite sport was baseball and for his 70th birthday his two sons took him on a surprise trip to Cooperstown, New York, home of the national baseball museum. His happiest times were spent with a hotdog in one hand and a beer in the other at a baseball game.

Tom also took up the sport of Jai Alai with an amateur league and enjoyed playing immensely.

Tom will be sorely missed by his family, his church families from many denominations, as well as the Emmaus community, the Cursillo community, and many, many friends made throughout his 92 years of life. He has passed now on January 13, 2024 into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who has spoken the words "Well done, good and faithful servant."