Obituary of Howard Swart

Howard Decker Swart, Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Thursday January 6th, The Feast of the Three Wise Men. Mr. Swart was 82. Howard was born September 1, 1928 in Margaretville, NY he was the son of the late, Howard and Marita Donaldson Swart, Sr. Mr. Swart graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 1946 and Erlham College in Richmond, Indiana 1951. After graduating Mr. Swart enlisted in the US Army where he proudly served our country. He was stationed in France during the Korean Conflict. Howard always felt he had a duty to serve his country. He served his community as a caseworker in starting in 1954 at the Dutchess County Department of Social Services. In 1992 Howard retired as the Deputy Commissioner of the Dutchess County Department of Social Servives. Howard will always be remembered as a man dedicated to helping people help themselves. He exemplified this motto throughout his life especially with his work at the Dutchess County Community Action Partnership, Dutchess County Office for the Aging, Grace Smith House, YWCA Battered Women's Services, Hudson River Housing. Howard was a lifelong member of the Dutchess County and Poughkeepsie Republican Committees. Howard is survived by his cousins; Donald Marshall and his wife, Molly Olson of Salt Point; Judy Reilley and her husband, George of VT; Timothy and Carolyn Marshall of Verbank, Godson, David Spross of NC. Howard leaves many friends and colleagues to cherish his memory, it was with Frank Capone and Maureen Lashlee of Poughkeepsie that Howard made his home and influenced the lives of all their children and grandchildren, never forgetting his beloved dogs, Gabby or Innis. Howard was predeceased by his beloved brother, Fred "Donny" Donaldson Swart who died in Korea in 1952. In accordance with Howard's wishes there with be a memorial service at 11:00 am, Saturday, January 15, 2011 in the History Room at the Italian Center, 227 Mill Street, Poughkeepsie. Arrangements are under the direction of the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, Inc., 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie. For directions or to send an online condolence, please visit our website at www.doylefuneralhome.com.