Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Alfred Wakelee Jr. SWARTZ
Alfred Wakelee Swartz Jr., 91, died peacefully, surrounded by family members on Thursday, March 24, 2005, at Muirfield Village, the health center of Waverly Heights, Gladwyne, Pa. Mr. Swartz, “Wake” to family and friends, was born in Philadelphia in 1913. The son of Alfred Wakelee Swartz and Clara Hay Pennock Swartz, he was a true Philadelphia gentleman, devoted and loving family man, and one of many Philadelphians who were fortunate enough to call Acadia National Park area of Maine his summer home.
He was educated at Episcopal Academy and William College, Class of ’36, where he was a member of the men’s intercollegiate lacrosse team. After leaving Williams, Mr. Swartz remained a dedicated alumnus of Williams College where he served in various leadership roles for the alumni association, making annual visits to the college, maintaining lifelong friendships, as well as a membership at the Williams Club of New York. While he was a career banker, Mr. Swartz began his professional life during WWII working in his family’s business, Linear, which produced materials critical for the war effort. Later, he joined Provident National Bank of Philadelphia, where he enjoyed a long and successful banking career in the Trust Division and Commercial Banking Group. He retired as a vice president in 1978. Mr. Swartz also enjoyed a rich personal life. He and his late wife, Deborah Disston Swartz, were ardent supporters of the Philadelphia Orchestra, were members of the Racquet Club and Gulph Mills Golf Club, and lived in Chestnut Hill for 25 years before moving to Gladwyne where Wake enjoyed gardening and golf during his retirement years. Perhaps one of the most cherished facets of the Swartz family’s life was their summer residence “Tide Race” located at the head of Somes Sound alongside Acadia National Park. There, the family enjoyed boating and the spectacular views on the only natural fjord on the East Coast. While in Maine, Wakelee was also a longtime member and active participant at the Northeast Harbor Golf Club, a favorite of many members of his extended Philadelphia family who also summered in the area.
Mr. Swartz is survived by his daughter, Susan Pennock Swartz Gurin of Blue Hill; his son, David Wakelee Swartz of Rowley, Mass.; his brother, John Hay Swartz of Ambler, Pa.; and his sister, Elizabeth Swartz Birdsall of Haverford, Pa. His extended family includes five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, among whom is his grandson and namesake, Alfred Wakelee Swartz III. His kindness, warm humor and grace will be missed by his family and by his dear friend, Sally Selby, also of Waverly Heights.
A private memorial service for Mr. Swartz is planned for this summer at Brookside Cemetery, Somesville, Mount Desert.
| HOME | EMAIL | SURNAMES |
Return to The Pennocks of Primitive Hall website.
The information in this database may contain errors. If you find any questionable data, or if you have something to add my findings, please feel free to e-mail me by clicking on the "E-MAIL" link above. Thank you!
Page built by Gedpage Version 2.21 ©2009 on 07 July 2020