Obituary of Eli Swartz

ALBANY --- Eli Abraham Swartz, 97, formerly of Cape Cod, died peacefully on Friday, May 20, 2016 at the Hospice Inn in Albany. He was the beloved husband of Lilian K. Swartz for 66 years until her death in 2011. Born in Maynard, MA, Eli was the third of seven children and shared his cheerful energetic spirit with everyone he met. Eli was the father of Phyllis Hillinger and her husband Stephen of Delmar, NY and Janet Swartz and her husband Bud O’Leary of Andover, MA. He leaves a brother Edward Swartz and a brother-in-law Gerald M. Kadish. Grandpa Eli was adored by five grandchildren: Alex, Seth, Marni, Suzanne, and Daniel; three great grandchildren, Leo, Calvin, and Oona; many nieces and nephews, and his special friend Audrey Kibrick and her family. Eli was an avid golfer until he was 95, achieving a 12 handicap and won many trophies and awards. He enjoyed playing poker with his Cape Cod buddies and his new pals at Beltrone Living Center. He was a lifelong Patriots and Red Sox fan. During WWII, Eli served in the Army Air Corp in West Africa as part of the correspondence team. He also was active in Masonic Lodges in Hull, MA and on Cape Cod, attaining the highest order of 32nd degree. Eli worked for many years as a manager of lumber yards and as a sales rep for home building suppliers. After retiring to Florida at 65, he grew tired of golf and other leisure activities and began a 22 year second career at Home Depots in Florida, Cape Cod, and Latham, NY where he worked until five months before his death. The funeral will be held at 9 am on Wednesday, May 25 at Levine Memorial Chapel , 649 Washington Avenue, Albany, with interment at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon, MA. Donations in Eli’s memory can be made to The Homer Fund, c/o The Latham Home Depot, 579 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham, NY 12110, to the attention of Scott Raymond, Manager, or to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241.