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John Schwartz Obituary
John Schwartz may have spent his childhood in the suburbs, on a rustic property in Alpine, N.J., but by the time he was grown it was clear to his family that he would be a lifelong New Yorker. "It was hard to drag him out to the country to see Mom and Dad," his mother, Joyce, recalled, "because there was always so much in the city that interested him."
Mr. Schwartz, who worked for Cantor Fitzgerald, frequented museums and took long walks along the river with his wife, Ching-Ping Peng. In warm weather he could be found on the roof of his apartment house on the Upper West Side, sometimes with a glass of wine in hand, always gazing out at the urban panorama below.
He loved art and music and history. When he traveled abroad, he always knew more about historic sites than most of the other people visiting them.
"If he went to an old monastery, he would walk in and he already knew what to look for, or he recognized the old masters on the walls," his mother said.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jane Kunstler
September 11, 2009
Babysitting for John and his brother Danny was my first job ever after my family moved to Closter in 1955. I remember the Schwartz family well and send my heartfelt condolences to them.
kristine
June 9, 2007
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
P Tabbernor
March 5, 2007
In memory....
May 9, 2002
Dining in a New York City restaurant with John and Peggy was a memorable experience! John knew more than the waiter did about the preparation of the food. We shall never forget John and his gracious manners. Sincerely, Mary Marchner
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Schultz Metcalfe
May 6, 2002
I have chosen John's name from the Memorial Quilt list, I am making a quilt block in his memory. After reading all the tributes to this man, I hope my work will be somehow worthy of this fine man.
April 23, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS WONDERFUL NEW YORKER...JOHN SCHWARTZ AND MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS WIFE..FAMILY AND FRIENDS..GOD BLESS AMERICA AND NEW YORK..MAY JESUS AND ST.JOHN GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN...AMEN
Mark Lee Rotenberg
March 11, 2002
John was my dear friend and confidant. We met almost exactly 30 years prior to the day when fate took him from us all. Vassar College was fertile ground for the likes of us in 1971, at a time when sex and drugs and rock and roll reigned supreme. Two long haired, skinny hippies with a youthful urge to learn...about life... love... and academia. Living in the same dorm for 2 years, we became best friends and our ties held fast for three full decades. Both of us escaped the military draft during the Viet Nam war, but only by the skin of our teeth. We found consolation together in our mutual plight.
John became one of the more recognizable figures on campus, with his shaggy mane and his even shaggier dog, Deyor. With a Gauloise cigarette tucked firmly between his fingers, he drew much attention and seemed to set an aesthetic standard for an entire clique of Vassarites. He instilled in me a taste for fine French wine. We would sit out on the farm or golf course sipping a St. Emilion and swapping tales of female dalliances. As bartender at Frivolous Sal's (THE Vassar hangout), he could be relied on to supply potent potables, gratis, to all his VC buddies. Those were pretty special days for us.
He and I both shared a passion for working with our hands. I recall his fervent desire to become a farrier back in college. He also had comprehensive knowledge of auto mechanics. John was one of my only friends who truly understood me when I opened up a shop to restore British sports cars, though he was absolutely terrified when I would pick him up in my Triumph and drive him around the city. After a ride, he would brew up a pot of the strongest tea imaginable to "calm his nerves". We would sit and drink, while snacking on some of the best Hungarian pastries in New York, or Jewish deli treats from Murray's. Where food and drink were concerned, John had no time for second rate fare. This was indicative of his sense of refinement and worldly appreciation.
I witnessed the evolution of a bright, articulate man over the years. From student, to cab driver, to a major player in the world of finance, his energy was always focussed. Though we chose different career paths, our friendship was cemented by common interests, including music, art, birds, travel, as well as the details of day to day living.
John's passion for his work was without limit. When he worked for Prudential Bache, he would call me nearly every day and keep me on the phone for an hour, though most of the time he put me on hold so that he could deal with his accounts.
When he moved to Cantor, his time was at a premium and communication between us during the day was mostly by email, but there was a ton of that coming from his desk. After 27 years of friendship, this gave us the opportunity to communicate by writing, which opened up new levels of expression. His accounts of watching hawks from the roof of his apartment building were very florid, or he would go into great detail about a new opera CD he had just acquired. When I visited him at his apartment, after removing my shoes, giving his cats a loving scratch and settling in on his sofa, I might be subjected to a healthy dose of Wagner, followed by Mr. Tambourine Man, by The Byrds, his favorite rock and roll group.
In recent years, John became an avid fan of European travel. He adored the French countryside and the beauty of Italy. A few weeks ago, my phone rang. It was John calling from Pienza, Italy. It was 11PM there and I could hear churchbells tolling the hour. John had called to share the experience with me. He wanted me to feel, see and hear the peace and beauty of the people and the place. I'll never forget his saying, "It's only $1.35 a minute... Who Cares?!" He continued walking from church to church so I could hear the bells. He said he was in heaven. We will all miss him deeply.
And, my message to John is, "My heart and mind have a permanent place for you."
pete dominick
March 11, 2002
John and I were basically aquantances for 6 years. I would see John at the gym almost everyday(and I work there) and we would always say hello by name. He was one of the people that made going to the gym feel like home and I am only sorry we never got to know eachother better. Always happy and always sweating and working hard. I envied his work ethic.
Adam Stein
March 5, 2002
John: You were a close friend and mentor during my first days at Vassar. A picture of me and Deyor on the lawn in front of our dorm (me shaggier than him if you can imagine)sits on my mantle. How sad we all are at your loss.
Teresa Jahn
December 13, 2001
We are so sorry for your loss of John. Our hearts cry with you.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Joanie Martinez
November 10, 2001
I worked with John when I lived in Milwaukee. I was fortuneate enough to finally meet him in person at the World Trade Center where we met up and proceeded to lunch. John and I spent the hour really getting to know each other and I can't get the image of him out of my mind. I will always remember your constant whining, pain in the rear phonecalls hourly but most importantly...your smile.
Henry Buck
October 29, 2001
Although I only knew John through Ching Peng and he was always at the health club when I was there. Everytime I would see him there I would say to myself: "What a lucky devil! They are so in love and so happy. He's got everything going for him and after his work out there will be a fantastic meal waiting for him cooked by Ching Peng." Ching Peng and I always called each other brother and sister since we are both Chinese. Ching Peng is the sweetest person I know and they made each other so very happy. John and Ching Peng were and is so in love. I will miss seeing this lucky devil!!!
Henry Buck
Kristy Liu
October 14, 2001
Uncle John was not my real uncle but he was caring, loving, and a wonderful person. He had so much personality and life. I will love him always and I miss him alot.
Erica Liu
October 13, 2001
Although Uncle John was not my uncle (blood-related), I always thought of him as family. He was an incredible man and taught me so much, from childhood up until now. I will never forget him and will love him forever. With love and sympathy, Erica Liu
Sam Chin CPA
October 3, 2001
My deepest sympathy and condolences on your loss. John was a family man who always put his family before all else. I always admired his sense of humor he possessed even if it was about taxes. He will be greatly missed. With my deepest sympathy, Sam W. Chin.
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