Steven R. Swerdlick

1945 - 2023

Steven R. Swerdlick
(1945-2023)
Steven Richard Swerdlick was a man of complex ideas but simple pleasures: He studied the ancient philosophers, religiously read The New York Times, and completed the Sunday crossword puzzle in ink each week. He was a man of many accomplishments but no pretense: He earned a Ph.D. and an M.B.A. from Stanford University, but always preferred to be called Steve or Mr. Swerdlick. Never "Dr."
Steve was a Brooklyn guy to his core. He attended James Madison High School and was a graduate of Brooklyn College, where he met his wife, Eileen, 60 years ago. He was a loyal Dodgers fan who kept Duke Snider's baseball card on his bookshelf. He would drive for miles in search of a legitimate bagel and his favorite pastimes included watching reruns of "Cheers," "M.A.S.H." and "Friends," and playing a heated hand of pinochle with his dad and sister.
Steve was an athlete who taught all his kids to play catch using his old, lefty, four-fingered baseball glove. He skillfully taught each of them in their respective sports and coached many teams that brought forth comradery and confidence in his players. His love of basketball extended from playing on his high school varsity team to competing in the senior Olympics.
Steve was creative and resourceful. He enjoyed taking portraits of family and friends as well as capturing nature's beauty with a vintage 35mm camera. On leisurely occasions he painted, and he devoted many hours to researching and organizing a library of his family's genealogy.
Steve was a devoted educator who started his career as a New York City public school teacher. He was a dynamic principal of an elementary school in San Jose, California, and was principal-superintendent of the Primary Education Center, whose purpose was to bring together economically disparate groups in the Bay Area. He later ventured to the business sector on Wall Street before eventually returning to education, where he became a professor of policy development and human resources at The New School in New York City. He ended his career as assistant superintendent of human resources for New Canaan Public Schools, a position he truly enjoyed before retiring.
Steve was a man who believed in doing the right things for the right reasons. He lived by a set of basic principles of decency and found little need for written rules to set his moral compass. He treated everyone he encountered from all walks of life with respect. Steve celebrated the success of others more than he celebrated his own. When called upon, he was generous with his time and had a gift for knowing when to listen or when to share advice.
More than anything, Steve loved his family. He always encouraged his children's endeavors and took pride in their choices of spouses and friends. The partnership that he and Eileen shared throughout 55 years of marriage manifested in their joy and pride in rearing three closely bonded siblings. His granddaughters could always spark a twinkle in his eye whenever they visited and greeted him with a sweet kiss and a cheerful, "Hi, Grandpa!"
Steve's work ethic, integrity, kindness and sense of humor are markers of the man who will be greatly missed. He was predeceased by his parents, Sidney and Shirley Swerdlick. His memory will be cherished by his wife, Eileen Lymus Swerdlick; his son David and wife Asila; his son Jonathan; his daughter Lauren and husband Rex; his grandchildren, Olivia and Naomi; and his sister Dorothy and partner, John, along with many extended family members and friends.
A graveside funeral took place on November 10, 2023. Graves Medley Funeral Home took care of the arrangements. A memorial gathering will be held at the New Canaan Public Library on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. to celebrate his life. New Canaan Public Library, 151 Main Street, New Canaan, CT 06840.
Donations in Steve's honor may be made to: Stamford Peace Youth Foundation, 925 Long Ridge Road, Stamford, CT 06902 https://www.peaceyouthct.org/ or The Fresh Air Fund, 633 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10017 https://freshair.org/