Jerry Schwartz passed away suddenly right after midnight on 1/17. As you can imagine, it was a shock to all of us since he seemed to be in good health. It started with gall stones leading to pancreatitis, blood clots, sepsis, low blood pressure, kidney failure, and heart attack. The medical team did everything in their power, but because of the multiple organ failures, nothing else could be done. He passed away peacefully. Jerry was just shy of his 70th birthday.
Growing up in Manhattan Beach, Jerry attended Aviation High School and connected with old friends on a regular basis.
A graduate of University of the Pacific’s Conservatory. he was a musician through and through. He spent 35 years as a music educator for Manteca Unified where he taught students from elementary through high school, conducted the honor band as well as a multi-school marching band for the annual Christmas parade. In addition to teaching, Jerry was an avid trumpet player and played with the Valley Concert Band during the Concerts in the Park series, Valley Community Orchestra as well as in Mike Esau’s garage band. He also had a love of early music and for many years played a yearly Christmas concert with Woodes so Wilde and recently connected with the Sacramento Recorder Society. He was in his element when playing and conducting.
He enjoyed boating and being an active member of the Stockton Sailing Club and was recently elected Captain of the Port. Jerry spent may happy hours tinkering on his sailboat, The Black Note and cruising the Delta and up and down the coast of California. He would often crew on other boats just to be out on the water.
Jerry umpired softball for many years for Manteca Parks and Rec, Manteca Youth softball, ASA and High School softball and loved his time on the field. He used humor to communicate with the players, coaches and parents. He had the opportunity to umpire a number of national tournaments.
Since retiring, Jerry and his wife, Claudia enjoyed traveling internationally, as well as frequent trips to visit their daughters in Philadelphia and San Diego. They also appreciated their annual trips to Catalina and Yosemite where Jerry enjoyed the tours and ranger walks. They continued to see Best of Broadway shows in San Francisco as they had for the past 40 years.
He is survived by his wife, Claudia of 45 years, his two daughters, Carrie Scheitrum (Matt) and Molly Alghussain (Ahmad), 2 grandsons (Charlie & Zach), his mother, June Schwartz and sister, Jeanne Bailey. He was preceded in death by his father, Arnold Schwartz.
Jerry preferred not to have a memorial service but we welcome your individual celebrations by raising a glass, listening to music, enjoying the Delta or catching a live show. His ashes will be scattered at sea outside the Golden Gate Bridge. Donations in his name can be made to the Yosemite Conservancy or the Catalina Island Conservancy.
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