JOSEPH COUSE SWAYZE

t would be disingenuous to not wonder why so little of Joe´s youth is alluded to in this beautiful obituary . Joe spent 12 formative years with people who enjoyed and respected him, who played music and sports with him and who have missed him over these last decades. He grew up with us in Glen Ridge New Jersey 45 minutes outside of New York City. A sliver carved out between Montclair and Bloomfield it is 1 mile long and 1/2 wide. Population 7,000. It was and still is a beautiful town with...

My most vivid memory of Joe is listening to him play guitar with two others (ala Kingston Trio) during our high school trip to Stratford-on-Avon in Connecticut. I took up guitar recently upon retirement wanting to be able to capture everyone's attention as Joe did during that spring day during our Senior year of high school. He appeared to be having so much fun.

My deepest sympathies to all of Joe's family on his passing. My history with Joe goes back to our early years in Glen Ridge, NJ, where we were classmates and neighbors on Forest Avenue. His accomplishments as a teacher, journalist and photographer are amazing and the many students who benefited from his expertise are his lasting legacy. May he rest in peace.

RIP to a great classmate, a lifelong champion of youth and education, and a really nice guy! You left us too soon.

One of my favorite places is a small volcano crater lake in Hamburg, NJ owned by the Swayze clan: cabins, a kitchen, bunk beds, a boat dock for canoes, crystal clear cold lake water, fishing rods & lures and hand nets. My last visit there was in 1962.....Joe gave me permission to fish there by myself before I moved south. In the winter Joe, Sr would chop a hole in the thick ice for drinking water. The ice skating was fun too as the wind rarely ruined the ice. And that was the last time I...

Sorry to hear of Joe's death. I was a friend of his at Williams. Now for the co-incidence which I did not know at the time. I am from Middletown, NY and was born on September 9th. We may have gone to the same nursery school or primary school. How long did Joe live in Middletown? Once again, sorry to hear of his passing. e mail: [email protected] Sincerely, Stuart

My sympathies to his wife and family with fond memories of a dear Williams classmate and all-around great guy.