Harvey A. Swart, a hard worker who loved to share good jokes, died peacefully at his home on Thursday, June 8, 2017. He was a longtime resident of Frostproof, Florida after he and his wife retired there from Schenectady. He was 92.

“Harvey was a generous person not only with his finances but with his talents,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He was always there to help out any stranger, neighbor, or friend with his skills, knowledge, and problem-solving abilities.”

He was born on Aug. 10, 1924 in Duanesburg, a son of the late Arthur and Luetta Coton Swart. Mr. Swart graduated from Draper High School in Schenectady. He also was a graduate of and was a financial contributor to the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill.

Mr. Swart was a member of the Schenectady County Fireman’s Auxiliary Unit beginning in 1944 and a volunteer fireman for the Hilderbrand Hose Company No. 2 of Rotterdam’s District 6 from 1946 to 1951. He also received training and education in electrical and small electric-appliance repair through the Christy Trade School of Chicago, Illinois.

As a teen, Mr. Swart helped his uncle with his T.C. Swart’s Ice Company, delivering blocks of ice to the residents of Mariaville, New York. This was before the modern-day convenience of electric refrigeration.

He was also employed for years as a technician for Tiffany’s Oil Co. Inc. of Delanson, as a worker for Route 20 Trailer Sales, and as a cabinet maker for Eastman’s Cheese Company. He also worked as an apiarist or bee keeper for his brother-in-law Robert Wood.

“He was a hardworking man who enjoyed gardening, carpentry, woodworking and, and repairing small electrical appliances,” his family wrote. “Harvey loved to bowl as an ABC member of the Schoharie  County Bowling Association in the mid-sixties.

“He always loved to share good jokes. He was a common-sense kind of guy with a great work ethic.” His family concluded, “He believed everything should have order, be done properly and to the best of one’s ability.”

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Harvey A. Swart is survived by one of his two stepsons and their families and a number of nieces and nephews.

His wife of 35 years, Alice Ensminger Deats Swart, died before him as did five sisters and their spouses, Marion Antalek and her husband, Michael, Clara Carroll and her husband, Robert, Madeline Regeles and her husband, Clarence, Virginia Wood and her husband, Robert, and Viola Wronski and her husband, Edward, and his brother, Henry J. Swart Sr. and his wife, Fannie, and a stepson.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Thursday, Aug. 10, at 10 a.m. at Schenectady Memorial Park at 566 Gifford Church Rd. in Rotterdam.

Mourners may leave online condolences on the website for the White-Van Buren Funeral Home in Delanson: WhiteVanBurenfh.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the SUNY Cobleskill Agriculture Program, 107 Schenectady Ave., Cobleskill NY  12043 or to his local hospice organization, The Good Shepherd Hospice, 3470 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland FL  33805.