Joseph A Schwartz

Joseph Anthony Schwartz, age 54, amazing Dad, beloved husband, the fifth of six Schwartz kids, proud University of Michigan alum, live music aficionado, lifelong fan of Springsteen and the E Street Band, curling team captain, creative cook, architecture/art enthusiast, and lover of all-things Christmas, passed away, way too soon, surrounded by his family on January 8th, 2024. Joe grew up in Livonia, Michigan surrounded with incredible love from his big family of 5 siblings, many cousins, and numerous relatives who lived close (and many who lived afar in his mother's native Bolivia).

He graduated from Churchill High School and received a scholarship to attend the University of Michigan. He met his wife Marisa in Chicago at a martini party in 1996 and they married in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2001. Joe's son and his pride and joy, Miles, was born in Santa Fe in 2006. When Miles was three years old, they moved to Denver, CO. Joe worked most of his career for a small technology company that supported the book publishing industry and was adored by his clients. He was well-known for his encyclopedic knowledge of music and film and friends often asked him for recommendations (that were perfectly tailored to their taste). Joe's generous spirit and work ethic were unparalleled. He was the first to jump in when an elderly neighbor needed help and was a well-loved uncle who never tired of building legos with nieces, nephews, and others. In Denver, he fulfilled a childhood wish to learn to curl (yes, the sport with brooms on ice) and organized a curling team with whom he "threw rocks" and laughed with college buddies and friends every Wednesday for the last decade.

Joe's truest joy was being with his son and cheering for him at basketball and lacrosse games and ensuring Miles was introduced to diverse types of music. He was the best of the best Dad, attentive to every aspect of Miles' life. Joe's legacy will live on in Miles, who inherited Joe's award-winning curly hair, his passion to help others, his love of all kinds of music, and his longing for more time on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Joe would have preferred no obituary… as he always gave the light and attention to others. May we all live more like Joe, naturally doing WAY more for others, thinking about what is right for the larger group, noticing the needs of the person right next to you. You will be dearly missed Jojo… for a very long time. May you get to forever watch Miles continue to become an extraordinary man and may you get to make the perfect mixed tape in heaven.

Joe was preceded in death by his grandparents Alfred and Olive Schwartz and Juan Victor and Mary Munoz, and his parents-in-law Manley and Elissa Allen. Joe is survived by his wife, Marisa Allen, his son Miles, his parents Milton and Carmen Schwartz, his siblings Michael (Nadine Lewis), Annamarie (Gary Pitt), Teresa (Chris Hubby), Eric (Paula), and James (Betsy), as well as his brother-in-law Paul Allen (Shannon), 12 nieces and nephews and 4 great-nieces and nephews, and "the boys" who are like family (Rob, Don, Mike B, and Mike H.).

We will honor Joe at a memorial service and celebration of life on April 13th at 4 pm at First Universalist Church of Denver. Donations in his honor can be made in several ways: A gift to a college fund for Miles by check made out to "Miles College Fund" and sent to: Michael Schwartz, 4842 Northgate Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. A donation in Joe's name to a scholarship fund for students who have need to the University of Michigan at https://donate.umich.edu/rgnVQ"target or a donation for much-needed research to prevent, treat, and cure pancreatic cancer via the PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network).org/site/Donation2?df_id=6701&mfc_pref=T&6701.donation=form1"target="_blank">Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.