I played for Mr. Schwartz on the (i) oak hill raiders pop warner football team (ages 6-8?); (ii) Newton East Little League Dodgers (ages 10-12), (iii) USY basketball and (iv) the Oak Hill Cubs.  As others have noted, Neil loved to coach, loved the kids he coached, was a brilliant strategist, teacher and most importantly friend.  Neil scouted my younger brothers (twin 10 year olds for the Dodgers) when they were 8, and ended up recruiting my mother (Marjorie Freeman) to coach with him.  After watching my mom coach a pre-little league team of 6 years olds, he recognized a kindred spirit when he saw one.  This was circa 1975-76, when few if any women were involved in boys little league baseball or boys youth sports at all, but to Neil's everlasting credit, he quickly realized that my mom was one of the most knowledgeable baseball parents he'd ever met and asked her to become his co-coach.  Neil's son joked in his eulogy about Neil liking the ladies, which may have intimated a tiny bit of chauvinism on Neil's part, but Neil did not hesitate to ask my mother to coach with him, and she spent 15 years as a bench coach for the Dodgers, well after all of her children had aged out of little league.  I have a million memories of Neil as a coach, mentor and ultimately friend, but it was this anecdote that leapt to mind when reflecting on Neil's wonderful life.   May he rest in peace and his life be for a blessing.  

Neil took me to many Bruins games.   He also took me to meet Bobby Orr and Derek Sanderson.  After one game as we were walking to his car, we saw Gerry Cheevers.  Neil stopped to talk to him and introduced me.  Then some kids ran up to Cheevers.  He had a beer in his hand and gave it to me because he didn't want the kids to see him drink.   So many wonderful memories with Neil! 💖

Peter and Family, I remember the day Neil moved to JHC almost 9 years ago. He was such a kind man. He had a warm generous heart and loved his peppermint patties. I am so sorry for your loss.  May he rest in peace.

Debbi Dickhaut
Receptionist at JHC


Mr. Schwartz was my baseball coach for 5 years with the Newton East Dodgers and Oak Hill Cubs. He was one of the most memorable coaches and figures from my childhood. He clearly understood how important youth sports is in shaping young kids. He had a system and traditions, and playing on his team made me feel like I was a part of something big and important. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to play for him. May his memory be a blessing to all who loved him.  

Great memories of Neil coaching me throughout my youth..basketball and baseball...

So instrumental to my youth sports experience...just great memories.   
-Steven Chapman

Neil was my first football (Oak Hill Raiders), basketball (NAA red shirts) and 2nd baseball coach (Dodgers) He taught we 10-12 year old boys how to compete, how to be good teammates and laid a foundation for us to be good people.  His enthusiasm for coaching and teaching us was contagious. Almost 50 years later, that enthusiasm is the most memorable aspect of playing for him. His memory is a blessing to me and I pray for many others as well! With Sincere Appreciation For A Life Well Lived! David A. Hill Silver Spring, MD

My 12 year old son is playing in the Williamsport tournament MA sectional for Needham. Earlier this week I was telling him about some of the lessons Coach Schwartz taught me when I was a Newton East, Mr. Sid-sponsored Dodger.  I remember him saying that he'd never get upset about a player making a physical error but mental errors were, if I remember, a particular pet peeve:). 

 After I fractured my left arm covering home from my own wild pitch, Neil took me and my cast someplace in Boston where they washed the Red Sox uniforms and had someone take an old baseball glove and reconstruct it so that I could continue to play with it fitting over my cast (which I did). I can't imagine something like that ever happening in this day and age but I'll never forget it. 

Neil was a great coach and taught me how to play the game the right way at a young age. I carry a love of baseball to this day and have been able to share the things he taught me with my own son.  I was saddened to hear the news of his passing and send my condolences to all of his family. I can't help but think it was an odd coincidence that I was talking with my son this week about the Dodgers and Coach Schwartz after so many years. In any case, John's last game of his little league career is this evening and I'll be thinking of Coach hitting fungos and blue pinstripe polyester uniforms. Take care. 

-Matt Spengler, #8

I had the honor of playing on the Newton East Dodgers from 83-85.  As a Dad of 2 boys I think of  Mr Schwartz all the time.  I remember the rides in his green convertible Cadillac to the field and up to the Holiday Inn for the end of season Canobie Lake Park visit. He was tough and a comic. But more importantly he taught life lessons about hard work, being a great team-mate and sticking with it. I still remember him throwing me into being a catcher at the end of my 10 year old season as our starter was graduating to pony league. I was really upset and complained to my Dad after that first practice in the car ride home. Then something happened, I was good at and ended up being a starting catcher for the next 2 seasons and beyond. It wouldn’t have happened without Mr Schwartz believing in me and did he ever teach the fundamentals well.  I grew to love being a catcher. I live in Austin now and happened  to be visiting family in Newton last week and we drove down Homer Street a few times just to see the old ball field. So many fond memories! Thank you Coach. 

Neil Schwartz was by far the most impactful youth sports coach I ever had.  He took a once mediocre Newton youth hockey team and taught us all the importance of discipline, respect, and teamwork, using tough love and Bill Parcells type humor to turn us into two time Midget State Champions.   He was also an incredible baseball manager.  Playing for his Oak Hill Cubs was an honor I think about often to this day.  He has had such an enduring,  profound, positive influence on everything I do.  The greatest youth coach of all time.  he can't be topped.
Neil Ronchinsky Oak Hill Cubs 1982-84
                                       Newton Midgets 1985-87

Neil coached me in little league in the mid-80s, a time when nothing mattered in my life as much as sports.  He was a coach in the truest sense of the word, instructing on batting stance and character.  I still have the scrapbooks he made at the end of each season, interspersing box scores and newspaper game recaps in between inspirational anecdotes of storied leaders.  These stats and lessons became one in my mind: Abraham Lincoln lost 8 elections and twice failed at business before becoming president, so don’t hang your head if you went 0-4 with 3 Ks against the little league Orioles.  I take with me many of the lessons he taught 35+ years ago at Newton Center field: support your teammates; try your best and persevere; always bring a jacket to the field, even if the temperature is pushing 90 (push-ups if you forget!).  He was one of the good ones, and I’m sorry he’s no longer with us.

A half century friendship with Neil began over two key passions: finance/investments and sports. Neil was not only a best friend but mentor and an older brother figure. He lived life large and to the fullest. If he wanted to do something, he did it. His bucket list was fully checked. Neil's outgoing and non-judgmental personality drew people to him. Neil was always comfortable in his own skin by doing things his way. I have sooooo many fond memories of times together, situations, etc. that celebrates his life's journey. The world lost a good man. The world needs more Neil Schwartz's, not less. Friend: Rest in peace, until we meet again. 
Bob Chestnut

OBITUARIO

Neil J Schwartz

9 febrero, 1938 – 18 julio, 2022

Stanetsky Memorial Chapel

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