MORTON SWINSKY

SWINSKY--Morton. Pioneering bond trader, art collector and multiple Tony Award-winning Broadway producer - died June 19, of prostate cancer. He was 75. Swinsky produced numerous plays and musicals, beginning with 'Eubie' and including hits such as 'Spamalot,' 'Spring Awakening,' David Mamet's 'Race,' 'Guys and Dolls' (Tony), 'Chicago' (Tony), 'Annie Get Your Gun' (Tony),'The Music Man,' 'The Who's Tommy,' 'Hamlet,' 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,' 'Grey Gardens,' 'Jersey Boys' (Tony), 'A View From the Bridge,' 'Hairspray' (Tony), 'The History Boys,' 'Billy Elliot' (Tony) and, most recently, 'Fela!,' and 'The Addams Family.' Swinsky was the recipient of film and television awards (AFI, Emmy) for 'You Can Count On Me,' 'Boys Don't Cry' and the concert version of 'Sweeney Todd.' With all these successes, Mort seemed devoid of ego and hubris. Backing a quality play or musical is what brought him pleasure. That and collecting art. Recognized by The National Sculpture Society, Swinsky was a patron to artists mostly in the Figurative Arts. Born to immigrant parents of Russian Jewish descent, Swinsky was raised in the Inwood section of Manhattan. While at City College night school, where he met his wife Florence Swinsky (Pincus), he pursued a job with CJ Devine and Co., where his mind, memory, and ability to predict value propelled him to the top of his field. When Merrill Lynch consolidated operations with CJ Devine, the "Devine Boys" created a high percentage of Merrill's revenue, and were granted the autonomy to run Merrill Lynch Government Securities Inc., with Swinsky as Executive Vice President. As a leader and pioneer in the trading of government bonds, Swinsky and his team left in 1980 to join William E. Pollock & Co and in 1990, the "Udder Guys" joined Fuji Securities. He retired from that firm as President. It was during his successful tenure on Wall Street that his eye for talent brought him into the world of Broadway and other arts. Mort touched so many people in his lifetime. He will be remembered and missed. He is survived by Florence, their two daughters Karen and Dana, and five grandchildren, Nikola, Dante and Thanos Carouso and Connor and Harry Cantelmo. A Memorial will be held Monday, July 26 at the Lotos Club, 5 East 66 St, 6:30 -8:30. Additional remembrances can be shared at legacy.com. Contributions in Mort's memory may be made to The National Sculpture Society, and The New York Theater Workshop.