John J.P. Swartz

John J.P. Swartz, 79, of Metuchen died on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Center for Hope Hospice in Scotch Plains.
Born in Scranton, PA, he resided in Metuchen for 50 years.
He was predeceased by a daughter Roberta Swartz, who died in 2018, his father John Swartz Sr., Carbondale, PA and his mother, Lillian Farry Swartz, Scranton, PA.
Surviving are his wife of 40 years Susan Williamson Swartz; his children Kevin Swartz and his wife Heather, Kate Bluvol and her husband David, and Joshua Ringle and his wife Ellen; his sister, Sister Alice M. Swartz RSM; his grandchildren Alexandra, Samantha, Matthew, Tyler, Brian and Julie.
Jack was a graduate of Plainfield High School and attended Kean College. He was formerly a real estate agent and director of quality control, prior to forming his own antique and personal property appraisal company.
He was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen, where he was a member of the Folk Group and a lector. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.
As a frequent listener, and regular caller to the Garden Show with Pegi Ballister-Howells, he learned to grow the best tomatoes, and freely shared his knowledge, and yield, with friends, relatives and strangers. Gatherings with friends and family allowed Jack to further share his love of cooking. Holiday menus often included home cured duck prosciutto, and goodies from his visits to the Portuguese stores in Newark, NJ where he used a "cheat sheet" to communicate with the owners. Summer gatherings were not your typical BBQ but yet another reason for Jack to whip up something amazing and share his talents.
His sense of humor and personally coined "Jack-isms" triggered an equal number of laughs, eye-rolls, and groans. His encyclopedic memory was only rivaled by the depth and breadth of the numerous stories he gave as a gift, and his heart was warmed by your enjoyment. Jack loved to laugh but loved it more when you laughed. As a man of God, an intense family advocate, a lifelong Giants, Yankees and Notre Dame fan, with keen interest in history and current events, knowledge of fine wine, exceptional cooking skills and an educated passion for works of fine art, Jack was truly a Renaissance Man.
The Funeral will take place on Friday, September 13, 2024, a 9:45am at Costello-Runyon Funeral Home, 568 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen, followed by a 10:15am Funeral Mass at St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen.
The visitation is Thursday, September 12, 2024, form 4-8pm
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org), St. Joseph's Center (stjosephscenter.org) or Center for Hope Hospice (cfhh.org)