Nathan Schwartz

CLINTON – Nathan Schwartz, age 98, of Lancaster and formerly of Clinton, a business visionary, died at the Sterling Village Nursing Center on Tuesday, January 21,2014.

He leaves three daughters, Lorraine, wife of Ron Jenkins of Jacksonville, FL, Eileen, wife of Dennis O’Connell of Tampa, Paula, wife of Roger Stewart of Tigard, OR; his beloved companion of many years, Frances (Evans) Finnegan; five grandchildren, Karen, Lori, Kyle, Stanton and Vanessa, eight great grandchildren and his extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins; David Schwartz of Ayer, Jason Delinsky of Lowell, Howard Arber of Newton, Reisa Volkert of Foxboro and Judy Cote of Ayer. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Mike, Anne, Joe, Millie and Fannie.

“Schwartzie” as he was called in business and political circles, first opened Schwartz Auto Parts in 1936 on Greeley St., in Clinton, later moving to Lancaster Rd. for the next 40 years. When he closed that location, he relocated to Winchendon. He took the world of work very seriously. He expanded his expertise to include land development. His tenacious attitude motivated him to build his vision for Clinton with subdivisions and a shopping center. Wherever Nathan saw potential, he courageously acted upon it.

He was born and raised in Ayer and was a son of Harry and Ada Schwartz. He graduated Ayer High School where he learned to speak French fluently, which was advantageous when he served for three years in Northern France during World War II.

He had been a long time member of Congregation Shaarai Zedeck in Clinton, a life member of The Trinity Lodge of Mason, The Veterans of Foreign Wars and The American Legion. He was a supporter of local agencies, Special events and religious organizations. He was a donor to St. Judes Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital. He supported agencies that were dedicated to animal care.

GRAVESIDE FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 12:00 NOON ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 26,2014 AT BETH EL CEMETERY,  WAVERLY AVENUE, CHELMSFORD, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF RICHARD PERLMAN OF BREZNIAK RODMAN CHAPELS OF NEWTON