Obituary of Elmer Jacob Schwartz

ELMER JACOB SCHWARTZ It is with great sadness that the family of Elmer Jacob Schwartz announces his passing on Tuesday, March 29, 2016. Elmer will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his wife of 57 years, Cecile (Huck), his children Todd Schwartz and Louise Folk; Janelle (Schwartz) and Mike Bennett, and their son Ryan; Brad and Donna (Hamilton) Schwartz and their children Anthony, Jennifer and Natalie, Adam and Nicole (Schwartz) Putz and their children Owen and Zoey. Elmer was also loved by his grandchildren’s friends (Cassandra, Scott, Annika, and Yianni) whom he welcomed to the family. Elmer is survived by his siblings Ernie Schwartz, Emma Moulin, Josephine Ehman, and Pauline Woiken and by a large extended family. Elmer was born to Joseph and Anne (Bolen) Schwartz on October 5, 1934 on their farm in rural Saskatchewan. He went to school in Gravelbourg until he was 16 when he moved to Regina where he completed advanced courses in drafting at Balfour Technical Collegiate. In Regina, he met the love of his life Cecile. They were married on February 4, 1959. Soon after he started his career as a draftsperson with Highways. Elmer moved to City Light and Power (SaskPower) where he worked as an engineering assistant for the next 35 years. He was proud of the integral role he played in building the power grids that serve Northern Saskatchewan. Elmer’s passions were his family, community, painting, the outdoors, building/renovating, and sports. He helped found the Whitmore Park Community Association, volunteered and coached with his children’s sports and music activities. He did the same with his grandchildren even as his MS progressed. Elmer was proud of the well-rounded generous people they became. A life-long learner, Elmer earned a Certificate in Administration from the University of Regina in the 1980s. He was a voracious reader and attended courses at the Seniors Education Centre throughout his retirement. He painted with watercolours almost until the day he died. As his health declined, he found a new way to enjoy life at every stage. He told Cecile the evening before he died, that her good night hug was “the highlight of his day.” The family would like to recognize and acknowledge the compassion and professionalism of members of Regina EMS (Paramedics Andrew Taylor, Rob Snell, Selena Letain), Regina Police Service members (Sgt. Bob Seminchuck, Cst. Scott Ash, Cst. Graham McDonald), Coroner Maureen Stinnen, as well as members of Regina Fire and Protective Services. The family would like to acknowledge the outstanding care provided by the RQHR home care team with heartfelt gratitude to Arun. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in memory of Elmer, to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Saskatchewan Division, 150 Albert Street, Regina, SK S4R 2N2. Please join the family for a come and go celebration of Elmer’s life at the Regina Senior Citizens Centre, 2404 Elphinstone Street, Regina on Sunday, April 3, 2016, between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.