Richard F. Schwarz

Portland – Richard Frederick Schwarz, 88, of Cumberland died Wednesday November 21, 2012 at Mercy Hospital after a long period of declining health. He was born in Portland on May 20, 1924, the second son of William Frederick and Georgiana Mae (Mitchell) Schwarz. He was educated in Portland schools and graduated from Deering High School, Class of 1943. He enlisted in the US Navy and saw action as a Hospital Corpsman on D-Day aboard an LST ferrying troops and bringing back the wounded and dead. From there he was assigned to a hospital ship in the South Pacific and Philippines. He was discharged as a First Class Petty Officer.

Richard returned to Portland and graduated from Northeastern College. He then went on to graduate from Burdett College in Boston with a degree in Accounting. He returned to Portland, happened to see a young woman known to a mutual friend and for Richard – just one look was all it took. In 1952 he married Helen Iris Lusth and together they moved to New Haven where Richard worked for Pratt Whitney. He went on to work for the US Postal Service and when an opening came up in Portland he applied for a transfer and the family has been back in Maine since 1961. Richard retired from the USPS in 1997.

Richard spent his time with his family and over the years they enjoyed camping in Acadia and especially at Moody’s Campground in Waldoboro. He also did some skiing. He helped Helen with gardening, “He wasn’t an enthusiastic gardener but he was willing” she relates. He did plant 75 blueberry bushes and would put up netting to protect the fruit from the birds. Richard was a member of the West Falmouth Baptist Church.

Richard is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen Schwarz of Cumberland; his son Steven Schwarz of Richmond; his daughter Linnea Schwarz of Cumberland; his daughter Lisa Gignac of Cumberland; his grandchildren: Michelle Schwarz; Richard Schwarz; Joseph Gignac; two great-grandchildren; his sister Bessie Lund of Jefferson and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Robert Schwarz.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday December 8, 2012 at 2:00 PM at West Falmouth Baptist Church, 18 Mountain Road, Falmouth. Burial will be at a later date to be announced. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Richard’s life and to share your condolences, memories and tributes with his family.