Sending prayers of comfort to the Swajkowski Family.
Thank you Mr. Swaj for introducing me to the game of Jeopardy in our freshman science class.  Now, as a school nurse and health teacher I've been known to use Jeopardy as the perfect pre-exam review.  And yes, the kids still love it!

Rest in peace.

Three  major memorable of events in Matt's life that I will share..

Matt once said that he had made a pact with God. IF God would bring him home safe and whole from that hell-hole Viet Nam War, Matt would never miss church worship ever! God kept his part of the bargain and so Matt kept his part of the bargain.

I watched Matt beam as he saw his bride walk down the aisle, and how much taller he looked as he and the love of his life Cynthia walked hand-in-hand to start their happy life together. That was a start of a long and precious time in his life.

I was there the day Matt first saw his namesake Matthew come into the world. He was so proud, you could almost see his heart burst with pride and love. That was a very precious day for Big Matt.   

Matt held his faith in God, the love of his country, and the love of his family in his heart and soul. 

And that is how I will think of Big Matt when I remember my brother-in-law and the man. He will be missed by all of us.

Sharron

Cynthia and family - Very sorry for your loss. I only met Matt 4 times, but enjoyed the time and conversations i had with him. I think we had a lot in common since we both served during the Viet Nam conflict. I always asked Matt what book he was reading-and he  was the one who told me about "Hitler's Pope". Great read that told me things i never knew.  I know your loss is great, but try to take comfort that others feel your pain-Matt was a GREAT man!

My wife Carol and I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to Cynthia and the rest of Matt’s family. I met Matt in 1963 as a fellow NSF summer science student at the University of Bridgeport. My wife and I enjoyed the pleasure of being with Matt and Cynthia at our 50th NSF reunion in Albany and at the 55th reunion in Cape Cod. Just this past November, we met again in Manhattan, where we were all guests of Donna Jurdy, another NSF student, at her retirement celebration.  Matt will be missed.

My deepest condolences to the Swajkowski Family at this difficult time. 
In my memory,  Matt Swajkowski was a caring and talented teacher. I have no doubt that if he had not given me the extra help I needed, I could have never successfully entered college and earned my BSN in Nursing.  We also shared an interest in 20th Century Military History and would often talk about WWII and Germany. History is a passion of mine, and he often stated how impressed he was that a 17 year old girl aspiring to Nursing had such a grasp on WWII and European History.  It was in his personality to make a student feel proud of any accomplishment.
After 40  successful and rewarding years in Nursing, I still credit Matt with helping that into being. I will never forget him, and  hope he would be proud of my Nursing career as well.

Again, please accept my heartfelt condolences for this tremendous loss.

(Mrs.) Susan Russo-Kleuker
CHS Class of 1975

I remember Mr Swam as we called him being a good teacher..Even the gym teachers wouldn't mess with him I'm sure but he was cool..You could tell how strong he was just by looking at him..RIP Swaj !!!

My condolences to the Swajkowski family during this time of sorrow and grief. The Tribute video is beautifully done.  I thought I would leave you a memory of Mr Swaj as he was affectionately called at Carteret High School. I graduated in 1979 and I had the pleasure of having him as my Earth Science teacher my freshman year and Chemistry my Junior year. I have many fond memories of stories from his classes. One from chemistry class where he was able to use the fire extinguisher because someone put paper with a highly flammable element in the trash and someone put a warm bunsen lighter on it. He enjoyed being able to use the fire extinguisher!  I also ran into Mr Swajkowski year later when I was working for AT&T. I was walking the halls of Knightsbridge with a friend and I saw the name badge hanging outside a cubicle. I said to my friend there is no way there is more than one Matthew Swajkowski. I popped my head in and sure enough it was him, I was very impressed when he called me "Mr Hudacko" just like I remembered him saying it in class.  Rest well Mr Swaj, your mission is complete. Peace be with you.

Matt and Cynthia are longtime parishioners of St. James the apostle Church I would see them in church each week also neighbors God be with Cynthia and her family at this time may he Rest In Peace 🙏

Mr. Swajkowski (Mr. Swaj) was a respected science teacher at Carteret High School. The Vietnam Vet with a sense of humor. A character that no one will ever forget. God bless him. 

Matt, or Mr. Swaj as we called him, was a dedicated teacher. Back in CHS days, Matt knew  that I had a strong interest in science. He took me up to Seton Hall to show me his Masters research project. I always appreciated that trip and the extra effort he made to encourage my interest. He obituary tells a wonderful life story. May his family and friends find comfort in his memory.

I was very sorry to learn of Matt's passing. I have many fond memories of the time we spent together as teachers at Carteret High School. My deepest condolences to his family. 

To Cynthia, Matt Jr,  and Family,
     We are sorry to hear about the passing of Matt, and we pray that God will give you strength, and comfort during this difficult time. We know he was specie,l and he will be missed by those who cared about him and loved him.
                                So Sorry For Your Loss,
                                 Bob and Nikki

We remember Matt at the parties and he had a great sense of humor. It was always a pleasure to talk to him. 

I speak for myself and on behalf of Matt's colleagues from the 1963 summer science camp program sponsored by the National Science Foundation and held on the campus of the University of Bridgeport in offering our sincerest condolences to the family.  I was Matt's roommate in that wonderful summer of discovery, and we were both in the Astronomy and Physics section.  He was nearly twice my size, so we stood out in that group of young budding scientists as somewhat of a "Mutt and Jeff" combination.  Matt could always be counted on to help with the pranks that we played on the counsellors, which were numerous but all in good fun and things we  remembered 50 years later when we organised our golden reunion in Albany.  Matt helped make that reunion a big hit, as he did again five years later on his beloved Cape Cod, which is my home area.  Matt also attended the retirement party last year of another Astronomy/Physics student and was thoughtful enough to  offer her a fine gift.  That about sums up Matt up in our eyes--a big, playful, thoughtful and generous guy who could liven up any conversation.  Words can simply not express how much he will be missed, but we can be consoled in the thought of all the lives he touched and the good cheer he brought to so many.

Mr Swaj was an awesome teacher and mentor and CHS has lost one of its best staff members ever there. He had many tough stories about the war and the craziness of 70s that he shared often with the students. Condolences to the family. CHS Class of 1987! 

I would like to offer my condolences to his family.  Mr. Swaj was an excellent teacher. And is a great loss to the community.  GOD bless you all.  

Had Mr Swaj in high school for science twice,great guy,knew science and was exceptional teacher.So sorry to hear he passed,may God bless his family and the Angel's carry him to Heaven. Sincerely,George Petroski  graduate 1979🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇

A great teacher and a real character,  one the teachers that will always make you look back and cherish your high school memories. Iam very sorry for fot the families loss 


Very saddened by the passing of Matt. We worked together in the telecommunications industry and stayed in touch via email all these years later. The word “hero” is overused these days – it should be reserved for someone like Matt. Only when asked, he spoke sparingly and humbly of his service during the Vietnam War, but you could tell he was hiding experiences that no young person should have had to endure. I will admit there was a humorous story he also shared, but that was Matt. I am glad he was on our side. I always enjoyed his conversation and continued to enjoy his writing. Matt’s insight, perspective, and analysis was deftly conveyed through the written word. I am going to miss hearing from him. I admire his work as a teacher and all his patriotic volunteerism. Our country lost a true hero, heaven has gained one. 
Cynthia, Matthew and Alison, I am very sorry for your loss.   

Sending heart felt sympathy to Cynthia and Matthew and family.  I am forever thankful for the day Matt and Cynthia wandered into Sylvan Learning  to tell me about their wonderful  son, Matthew, who was looking for a part-time teaching position.   Well, that turned out to be my lucky day! With a little coaxing, I convinced Matt to join my staff along with his son.Both were  most valued members of my staff.

OBITUARY

Matthew J. Swajkowski

April 3, 1947 – June 19, 2020

McCracken Funeral Home

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