DUANESBURG — Howard ‘Cappy’ Millard Schworm was a butcher whose wealth lay in his faith in God and in his family and friends.

He died on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. He was 86.

“With his wife and four sons by his side, heaven opened up and Jesus came down to usher Howard Millard Schworm, better known as ‘Cappy,’ into glory,” his family wrote in a tribute, stating they would “remain behind to continue the legacy of love, loyalty, and friendship he demonstrated over his 86 years with us.”

He was born in Delanson to a local blacksmith, Willis Schworm, and his wife, Hazel Townsend Schworm. “He finished his education years ahead of his peers and served his country by joining the Army in 1949,” his family wrote in a tribute, “returning to marry the love of his life, Nancy, in 1954.

“He worked as a career butcher for the Navy Commissary and maintained a butcher shop in his home where he taught his sons not only about hard work, but about life. Cappy’s butcher shop was not only a place of hard work, but more importantly it was a place where stories were told, wild-game dinners were cooked, and lifetime friendships were developed. Cappy’s grandsons often said that Grandpa’s butcher shop was the ultimate man cave.

“Matthew 7:14 says, ‘But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.’ Cappy is one of the few who knew how to find the narrow road that leads to a full life every single day with laughter and a smile.

“The things in this world that mattered most to Cappy were his faith in God, his family, and his friends. He would often say, ‘I am not rich in money or possessions, but I am a wealthy man in the love of my wife, family, and my friends and that is what I cherish the most.’

“He was the perfect person to raise his four sons. We idolize our father. He taught us many lessons about life we will carry forever and pass along, always finding a way to weave a laugh into the lesson.

“His unique country wisdom would include sayings like, ‘A fish would never get caught if he just kept his mouth shut!’ or, in the middle of a large family reunion photo, he stops and says, ‘If not for me there would be no you!’

“He maintained a simple approach to life: Be strong, loving, loyal, and dedicated to your family, and treat your friends like family. He didn’t just love his wife and our mom, Nancy, he cherished her above all else and made sure his four boys understood that importance.

“He now joins his mom and dad, his brother Johnny, and his old fishing and hunting partner for more than 50 years, Lynn Tucker, and many others to bring his unique ray of sunshine to a bright place. Dad, we will miss you more than you can ever know and promise to make you proud every day of our lives.”

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Howard ‘Cappy’ Millard Schworm is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nancy; their four sons, Rick Schworm and his wife, Denise, Roger Schworm and his wife, Jane, Gary Schworm and his wife, Tina, and Glenn Schworm and his wife, Amber; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; his brother Harold Schworm; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

His brother Johnny Schworm died before him.

Family and friends were invited to call at the Duanesburg Presbyterian Reformed Church on Sunday, Dec. 3. A memorial service was held afterwards at the church with private interment.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Duanesburg Presbyterian Reformed Church, 6512 Western Turnpike, Post Office Box 218, Duanesburg NY 12056 or to an Honor Gift to the Wounded Warrior Project Inc, Post Office Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517.