Norman Wayne Schwartz

My dad, Norman Schwartz, was born in Toledo, Ohio on inauguration day, January 20th, 1939. It's hard to imagine my dad as a little baby, bc I always knew my dad as being the responsible care taker, always making sure to take care of my mom, my brother and I.

He grew up as the second oldest of 4 children. He was the oldest boy, with two younger brothers, Larry and Berl, and a beloved older sister, Elaine, whom he adored and whom he lost when she was only in her 50s. He never talked about her passing, probably because it was much too painful for him to even talk about. I know he missed her so much throughout the years, and he would talk about her with fond memories whenever I would ask him about her but it was always difficult for my dad to talk about loved one's whom he had lost.I feel that my dad was much more sensitive and emotional than anyone could ever see on the outside.

After his sister's passing, he remained extremely close to all 3 of her children, my cousins Terri, Todd and James, who all would have been here today to honor my dad, if it weren't for the high holy holiday of Yom Kippur soon approaching.

There's so much to say about my dad, who was such a loving father, and he always worked so hard to take care of our family. He placed a lot of importance on work, because, to him, working hard to pay the bills was something he felt was extremely important to take care of all of us. However, he also enjoyed working as a salesman, in several different careers, which allowed him to use his natural abilities to socialize and help others. When Tony and I were young kids, my dad owned 2 clothing stores, called "The Trouser Bar" in Toledo, which he enjoyed running himself, and he was top salesman with Levi Strauss. Several years later, he worked for a tool company called Cummings Industries, in which he had his own truck, selling tools to various businesses. He then began working for several travelware companies, including American Tourister luggage and Verdi luggage. He was then transferred from Toledo to Miami, Florida to continue working as a sales rep for these companies, and Miami became our new permanent home while he did well and very much enjoyed working for many years with these companies. He enjoyed those positions, and always seem to come home happy and feeling fulfilled. He spent every weekend with our family, always doing fun stuff either at home, or going to the beach or taking family trips. I have wonderful memories of my dad, always being there for me, always guiding me, always caring about me and always teaching me to be responsible about so many things, while also making laugh with his unique sense of humor.. In fact, I know he would not want me to cry today, not over him. He would be very emotional to know that I was sad, and he was very scared to leave this earth because he didn't want my mom, my brother or me to ever be sad. He was afraid to die, and Im pretty sure it was because he was so worried about leaving us. I kept telling him not to worry, & that we would all be ok, and that he would be ok, too. If it weren't for my belief in the afterlife, I would have been terrified of losing him every single day. I believed that he would send me signs and I still believe that today. I want to believe that he's with me every single day, and that he'll never leave my side. I want to believe that his soul will be close with me all the time, & that he will send me messages that I will understand and recognize.. I do believe that our souls go on, and that my dad will never leave me, my mom or my brother. I believe that he wants us to remember him happy, healthy and as the loving husband and father that he always was. He was a wonderful man. When he was healthy, he loved to laugh & to spend time with us. He would always put a lot of pressure on himself, and I just wish he'd been able to be a little bit more carefree. He always had so much responsibility on him to be the best husband and father, and he did a great job at it. I hope he can see me and hear me when I tell him how much I love him and that I always will. I want him to be remembered as a wonderful human being by everyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting him & knowing him..and I will always and forever think of my dad as being the amazing father that he was..My dad was my hero and always will be.