James Schwartz

Olean- James (Jim) M. Schwartz passed away June 3, 2022. He was born September 21, 1947 to the late John and Mildred Glaser Schwartz. James was a graduate of Clarkson College of Technology in Mechanical Engineering, 1969. Recruited out of college he worked for Chicago Pneumatic in Oil City, PA. In the mid-70s he relocated to Cuba, NY and worked for Dresser Clark (Olean) as a mechanical engineer building compressors. In the 80s, he joined Wright Associates with his brother Robert which later became Domino Builders as contractors building churches, schools, banks and other businesses. After Domino Builders, he joined the family business with his brother Richard at Schwartz Engineering, formerly Reinhart & Schwartz. Later in life Jim settled in the farm country of Cuba/Rushford where he loved enjoying many of his favorite outdoor hobbies - target shooting, motorcycling, dirt biking, hiking and nature. He was a member of the Rushford Catholic Church where he spent many of his days playing guitar and singing with the church music group. It was there where he pursued his love for playing the guitar and teaching others how to play. He played and sang at local churches, music houses, retirement homes and the Black Eyed Susan (previously in Angelica where he also worked part-time at the Post Office, after retiring from engineering.) Anyone who knew Jim knew what a gentle, kind, patient, caring and fun-loving person he was. Known for riding a 6-foot-tall unicycle, old fashioned boneshaker bike, driving a red Lotus sports car, raking 10 FT tall leaf piles for the kids to jump in and illuminating the front porch with pumpkins on Halloween - he made fun a top priority! Always putting others first, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren doing what made “them” happy. He was the best dad ever. He had the most creative ways of teaching life lessons, making the most of everyday and enjoying what God gave him. As his mother Mildred always said, “When life gives you lemons, make Lemonade.” He will always be remembered and cherished. Jim is survived by David (Jessica) Schwartz, Christine (Brian) Callahan, Laura (Chad) Martin; grandchildren Tucker, Henry and Braeden, and former spouse Mary (Morrow) Schwartz; a sister Jean (late Ken) Karr, and many nieces, nephews, dear friends and beloved pets. Jim was predeceased by Robert (late Rosemary), Ann Brigden, Richard (Sue) and Edward. Friends will be received on Saturday June 25, 2022, 9:30-11:30 at the St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church Belfast. A mass of Christian Burial will follow for those that wish to attend as well as a brunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Church Auxiliary and Music Ministries in Belfast for St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church 3 Merton Ave Belfast, NY 14711. Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com