Jeffrey Alan Sweeney

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It is with profound sorrow we announce the sudden and unexpected death of Jeffrey Alan Sweeney (יוֹסֵף) on Friday, April 11, 2025. He died at home at the age of 71.

Jeff was born in Glendale, California on May 5, 1953, to Neil Gordon Sweeney and Ruth Carol Leinseider Sweeney. His family settled first in Brooklyn, then East Meadow, Long Island, New York, where Jeff and his brothers spent the beginning of their childhood. The Sweeneys later moved to California where Jeff became a Bar Mitzvah and attended junior high and high school in Chatsworth. Throughout his childhood he enjoyed playing baseball and basketball and accumulated memories of mischief and adventure with dear friends. Jeff earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University Northridge in Liberal Studies and a Master of Science degree in School Management and Administration from Pepperdine University.

His vocational life was spent serving public school students, staff and families for over 40 years. He believed everyone was entitled to a quality education and was committed to each students’ success. Jeff held a variety of positions throughout his career, from teacher to school district superintendent, collaboratively leading in his noble calling to support those within the community.

In the Los Angeles Unified School District he worked as a Kindergarten teacher, school principal and Co-Director of the Computer Education Foundation Program. Following his time at LAUSD, Jeff spent the next 16 years with the Temple City Unified School District as a principal at Emperor Elementary School and Oak Avenue Intermediate School, then as the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. At the end of his tenure with TCUSD he was named School Administrator of the Year by the California Association of School Counselors, demonstrating his lasting impact on school communities’ resiliency and his commitment to facilitating lifelong learning. Next, he skillfully served the Fillmore Unified School District as Superintendent. After “retiring” to the Pacific Northwest he had the great joy of continuing his work as a Washington school district administrator mentoring principals in the Kent and North Kitsap school districts.

He officially retired in 2019 and soon after began his fight with and triumph over pancreatic cancer. After the conclusion of his treatment, he enjoyed retirement with his best friend and love of his life, Karrie, and continued to nurture an unbreakable bond with his beloved daughter, Kaitlin. He gratefully enjoyed this treasured gift of time with road trips, visits with Kaitlin, cooking, bike riding, record collecting and most recently training Opal, his recently adopted 70 lb rescue pup. Jeff was a profoundly devoted husband and father, imparting unconditional love and tender care to Karrie and Kaitlin. His vulnerability, playfulness, wisdom and empathy played an impactful role in maintaining their family’s warmth and closeness.

Jeff had immense respect for all cultures and religious beliefs and recognized the dignity in everyone. For most of his adult life Jeff found great comfort in his Christian faith, especially during times of challenge and struggle. He connected deeply with the life and teachings of Jesus and appreciated the wisdom of author and pastor, Fredrick Buechner. He humbly aligned himself with the “peace which passes all understanding” and often sought solace in that promise. Jeff collected hymns, songs, sermons, poems and references of scripture that embodied his source of encouragement and strength, as well as the unmistakable empathy and advocacy embodied in his faith.

He is survived by his wife Karrie, his daughter Kaitlin, his brothers Steve (Megan) and Russ (Roxanne), his Aunt Brenda, loving in-laws, nieces, nephews and a host of long-time friends.

Please consider emailing [email protected] to stay connected with Jeff’s wife and daughter and receive updates about a summer memorial service.

If you feel moved to honor Jeff’s life and legacy, we invite you to consider these ways of paying tribute to him. May these actions bring us together in his spirit of kindness, advocacy and joy.

• Donate to or volunteer with Reading Partners, a nonprofit organization that works in public schools to pair young children with reading tutors.

• Be a guardian of our environment by supporting the Redwood Parks Conservancy. Jeff’s awe of creation, especially of the majestic California Redwood, provided healing and joy to himself and others.

• Support the Watsonville Wetlands Watch, an organization dedicated to the protection, restoration and appreciation of the Pajaro Valley wetlands. They involve local K-12 students, provide scholarships to first-generation college students and come alongside families within the community.

• Donate to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Jeff was preparing to walk in the annual march to be an encouragement to others in the midst of their own fight.

• Volunteer at a school or in your community.

• Thank someone for making a positive impact in your life. Jeff kept cards from family, friends and colleagues dating back many decades. Your words of love and support offered a balm during difficult times.

• Stop at all lemonade stands. Tip well!

• Listen to Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Linda Ronstadt, Garth Brooks, Ray Charles, Cat Stevens, and Cece Winans. Crank up the volume and sing out loud like he did daily.

• Take time to notice others often missed or ignored; those who prepare our food, sweep our hallways and keep our world running. And with the same humility and twinkle in your eye that Jeff extended to all he met, see them, thank them and continue to spread the love. L’chaim.

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“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.”

- Frederick Buechner