Alfred James Switzler

Alfred James Switzler passed away on December 11, 2022, at the age of 92 of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was born in Carrolltown, Pennsylvania, son of the late DeSales and Regina (Karlheim) Switzler. From a young age Fred learned the value of hard work on his family’s large farm near Carrolltown. He particularly enjoyed working with and showing Morgan Horses, including Trophy, a famous Morgan Horse purchased by his father in 1950.

Fred graduated from Carrolltown High School and attended the General Motors Institute to train for employment at his father’s car dealership, Switzler Buick Inc. that was started in 1921. In 1969, Fred and his brother Don took over the family business by adding the Oldsmobile division and building a new location in Ebensburg for the dealership. Fred worked as the service manager for 30 years and built the business on customer satisfaction. Fred received numerous awards for customer satisfaction and was one of 22 people throughout the United States selected as an adviser for the Buick division of General Motors. In this role, he would meet in Michigan with Buick factory representatives to advise them on the latest issues to improve car design. Fred took great pride in his work and often said his father taught him whatever you do, be truthful, and whatever you promise, keep that promise. He was committed to running his business as he was taught - with honesty, sincerity, and integrity. Fred was blessed with the gift of conversation, and he derived his greatest work satisfaction from his conversations with customers.

Fred married his high school sweetheart, Cherie Stickler. Cherie and Fred enjoyed golfing and skiing together. In 1950, Fred enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict and served for three years with the 4403rd Air Base Squadron. He was stationed at the Elmendorf Base as a mechanic in Anchorage, Alaska. He and Cherie welcomed twin girls, Bev and Barb, who were born in Anchorage. His third daughter Carol was born when they returned to Carrolltown. After losing his wife Cherie to cancer, he remarried to Jeanne Kuncelman, who was the wife of the late James Pierre, adding her two sons and daughters to the family.

Fred was an active member of the Ebensburg Rotary Club for nearly 30 years. He enjoyed what he would describe as doing something for the good of the world. He volunteered to set the ski and groom the Cambria Township Ghost Town Trail. He loved serving his community - a community that had given him so much. He participated in such activities as the annual Election Day Spaghetti Dinner and Potato Fest soup booth.

Fred was a loving and caring partner to his wife Jeanne of the last 36 years. The love they shared was very special. Jeanne and Fred loved the outdoors and embraced new adventures in retirement. When Fred retired from the car dealership, he and Jeanne moved to Marquette, Michigan in Michigan’s upper peninsula in search of snow for plenty of cross-country skiing and to enjoy the area’s beautiful mountains, woods and lakes. They embraced their new community and made friends through their church and community association. They continued to give back to the community by clearing cross-country ski trails, even in their eighties, and helping out neighbors by keeping an eye on things when they fled south for the winter.

In 2021, Fred and Jeanne returned to the east and moved to Brightview Rolling Hills Retirement community in Catonsville, Maryland where they made new friends and were known as “the walking couple”. On most days, they enjoyed walking in the woods of the Patapsco Valley State Park.

Fred was a faithful member of Holy Name Catholic Church of Ebensburg; St. Peter Cathedral of Marquette; and Saint Mark Roman Catholic Church of Catonsville. A typical day for Fred involved a sunrise walk with Jeanne before they attended early morning mass.

Fred is survived by his sister Rose Maurer, his wife Jeanne, his daughters Bev Ricketts, Barb Kimball, and Carol Startare, his stepchildren Lisa Nichols, Brian Pierre, Lori Hopkins, and Jon Paul Pierre; 11 grandchildren; and 7 great grandchildren.

A memorial mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 30 at 10:00 am at Saint Mark Roman Catholic Church, 30 Melvin Avenue, Catonsville, MD. 21228. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Noquemanon Trail Network, PO Box 746, Marquette, MI 49855, 906-235-6861.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sterlingashtonschwabwitzke.com for the Switzler family.