1935
2017
There is a day you hope will never come, but you know that it will after a certain period of serious illness. Ralph Anthony Swartz died Saturday, April 8. He is survived by his wife, Mary McDonald Swartz, to whom he was a loving husband for 37 years and best friend for over 40 years.
Ralph was born to Frank H. and Eleanora Spencer Swartz July 5, 1935 in Oak Bluffs, MA on Martha's Vineyard Island. He was the oldest of eight children followed by Frank, Jr., Bob, Cynthia, James, Dick, Audrey and Emory. He was predeceased by Frank, Jr., James and Dick and his daughter Teresa (age 7). He is survived by his children, Michael "Tony" Swartz (Maritza), Sharon Swartz Filsinger (Steve) and Kimberly Swartz Turner (John). He also was grandfather to Keri Swartz, Michael and Matthew Finn, Josh and Elijah Filsinger, Teresa, Ashley and Jacob Turner; step-grandfather to Brandon Filsinger; great-grandfather to Spencer Sarantopoulos and Camden Filsinger. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the lights of his life. He counted himself lucky to have a large and loving family as well as many friends and colleagues who were close to him throughout his career.
Ralph's childhood was full of adventures, fun and work with his brothers and sisters on Martha's Vineyard until he joined the Navy at the ripe old age of 17. He served two active duty years during the Korean Conflict, spending most of his enlistment in the Orlando, FL area. He was so proud of his service in the United States Navy. Following an honorable discharge from service to his country, he and his first wife, Connie, returned briefly to Cape Cod, but the cold winters were no longer his choice. Eager to return to Florida, Ralph began a career in the newspaper and commercial printing industry that became his profession of choice through his last days. Moving from Lakeland, FL to Beaumont, TX where he met his second wife, Mary, then to Clarksburg, WV, Danville, VA and, finally, to his beloved home of 34 years, Williamsburg, VA. He was tremendously proud join partners Chris and Brenda Jones as co-owner of the commercial printing firm, Printwell, Inc., which has flourished for 25 years in Williamsburg.
Ralph was passionate about golf, fishing and especially telling convoluted and often very funny jokes and stories, frequently off-color, and many times cracking himself up. His enjoyment of his own jokes only enhanced the reactions of those he was entertaining. He loved recounting adventures of his childhood and early youth on the Island, editing some of his and his brothers' worst behavior for his audience. Digging for clams, selling wildflowers to make money for the movies, popcorn and a soda, going to the dump to find treasures that could be made into a wagon, wheelbarrow or another tool were all part of Ralph's Depression era up-bringing.
There was no one he loved, admired, and revered more than his mother, Eleanora. She left him with a tremendous work ethic, love of family and friends, generosity of care for others who were less fortunate than he, and deep and abiding faith and trust in God.
Ralph loved his faith and shared his passion with the faith family of St. Olaf Catholic Church in Williamsburg. As one of the founding members of the parish, he took great pride in the growth of this faith community and the many loving friends he found there. His ministries as a Minister of Hospitality (Usher), Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and Sacristan were important and fulfilling to him in many ways. His greatest ministry was to engage and interact with those he knew and those he did not know, extending a genuine welcome to all. For Ralph, there were no strangers, only friends he had yet to meet.
He proudly served as a member of the board of the Angels of Mercy Medical Clinic, a free health care provider to uninsured patients in the greater Williamsburg area, exemplary of his generosity, compassion, and commitment to service to those in need. He was also a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus.
A celebration of Ralph's life will be held on Monday, April 17, from 5:30-7:30 PM at Kiskiack Golf Course, 8104 Club Dr., Williamsburg, VA. Visitation with the family will begin at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, April 18, at St. Olaf Catholic Church, 104 Norge Ln., Williamsburg, VA. Mass of Resurrection will immediately follow at 7 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Olaf Catholic Church Building Fund or Angels of Mercy Medical Clinic.
Rest in peace good and faithful servant. Many love you and will miss you always.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Nelsen Funeral Home - Williamsburg.
April 18, 2017
Portia Jones
Hello Mary, You and your family are in my prayers. I am so sorry for your loss. May your strength continue to grow in this time of sadness. Sincerely Portia and family.
April 17, 2017
Kay Ray
I'm so sad that Ralph has gone to be with Lord. I've know him for over 20 years as a business partner. He was so sincere with everything he did. I know he is at Peace now. My thoughts and prayers are with you Mary. May the Lord give you the strength to be strong at this difficult time.
April 17, 2017
Dear Mary, So saddened to learn of the loss of your husband Ralph. May your faith and the support of your family, and all who knew and loved him sustain you in this most difficult time.
Johnny Young
April 15, 2017
Nigeria Obleton
I am sorry to hear about the passing of Ralph. I worked for him in 2010. He was a very caring and generous person. May God watch over his family in their time of sorrow. My prayers and thoughts are with them. RIP Ralph.
April 13, 2017
Blanche McFarland
Sorry for your loss Mary. What a delightful husband. My condolences to you and the family. I pray for your comfort and peace during this hard time.
April 12, 2017
Dorene Sheehan
Aunt Mary and Family, Uncle Ralph will be missed greatly by me and my whole family. My fondest memory is when came to the family reunion. We talked in the kitchen and caught up. We laughed and his smile is one that radiated. His love of God and family is a blessing I will cherish.
April 12, 2017
John & Nina McDonald
He probably has already teed off on the first Heavenly Green. Have fun Ralph. (John )
I only met him a couple of times but he was a kind and gracious person with a beautiful smile and twinkle in his eye. (Nina) McDonald
April 12, 2017
Anna Malara
My condolences to Mary.
Ralph was a kind and smiling man with all of us, always giving a kind word with a big smiles of his..... he was very proud of his european discendente a very kind people person not matter who they where or where they came from.
I will miss him.... but I know he is with God and he is watching all of us from above.
April 12, 2017
Father Jay Wagner
My prayers and consoling wishes go out to Mary and the family. Ralph was a kind and generous man, and faithful member of St. Olaf's for so long. May he rest in eternal peace in the arms of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Eternal rest grant unto him Oh Lord, ....
April 12, 2017
Rich and Barb Plate
Ralph's smile was infectious. He has left a lasting memory with his dedication and service. Our condolences to Mary and his entire extended family.
April 12, 2017
Jeanie Kline
So glad to have met Ralph, and to know what a good man he was. Thoughts and prayers are with Mary and all of his family and friends.
April 12, 2017
Melissa Orendorff
I think, maybe, there is some validity in accepting that a part of you went with the person who died, and a part of them stayed with you.....
Ralph left an impression on all those he met with his warm smile and kind heart. Each of us who knew him are the better person for it. He will be missed.
April 12, 2017
Dave & Lei Dupuis
Ralph, we will miss you. You and Mary have been good friends and neighbors ever since we came to Williamsburg over on Alabama Lane. So many memories of the journey from St Bedes to the mission of St Olaf and the many things you did to help our community. We wish you Godspeed in your new journey and send our condolences to Mary and your family.
April 12, 2017
Michael & Sandy Corbin
Ralph was such a dear man...from our first meeting at Fort Magruder years ago to the church family of St. Olaf. We send our sympathy and prayers to Mary and family as well as the family we know he had at Printwell. Ralph will be missed by anyone whose life he touched. God bless all.
April 11, 2017
Brenda Jones
A mentor, friend, business partner and man with a plan that I will miss tremendously everyday. bj
April 10, 2017
Jeff and Jeanne Black
Ralph we will never forget everything you did for us. You have always placed the needs of others ahead of yourself.
We spoke with Sister Berenice in Philadelphia last night, and learned that she already heard the news. Word certainly travels far and wide within our church community-especially when a saint like you returns home.
Sister commented on how much you and Mary have done for both us and the St. Olaf Church Community.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you not only for what you did for our medical mission for more than 15 years, but also for all the ways that you touched so many of us.
We still have the book you gave us-The Greatest Miracle in the World. This book has helped to change us the same way you had once explained it had changed you. Thank you so much for this.
Jeff & Jeanne Black
April 10, 2017
Karen Rogers
This good man touched so many people and made a difference in so many lives. He will be missed.
Tom and I send our sympathy to the Swartz family and also to Ralph's "family" at Printwell. Physical bodies may depart, but love never vanishes.
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