Leslie R. Swartzer

11/19/2006

Leslie R. Swartzer, 86, of 386 Columbia St. died Sunday at North Adams Commons, where he had resided since July 26. Born in North Adams on April 2, 1920, son of Paul and Martha Weidick Schwartzel, he was a 1940 graduate of Drury High School. An Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, he flew B-17s and -29s out of Clark Air Force Base during 55 combat missions. He entered the service on May 26, 1942, and was awarded the Air Medal with oak leaf clusters for "Meritorious Achievement while Participating in Aerial Flight," and several other campaign medasl. Mr. Swartzer was employed by the Clark Art Institute in the security department, retiring in 2000. Before that, he was employed by the former Arnold Print Works as assistant traffic manager for many years. He was a member of the Catholic Parishes of Adams and of Dalton Post American Legion 155. He and his wife, the former Eunice C. Charbonneau, were married Aug. 23, 1945, in St. Patrick's Church in McCook, Neb. Besides his wife, he leaves four sons, Jeffrey P. Swartzer of Martinsburg, W.Va., William A. Swartzer of Eagar, Ariz., Earl L. Swartzer of Tracy, Calif., and Richard G. Swartzer of Stockton, Calif.; a daughter, Kathleen E. Garner of Churubusco, Ind.; a sister, Esther Flood of Williamstown; eight grandchildren; and a greatgrandchild. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Leslie Swartzer, who died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, will be celebrated Friday at 10 at Notre Dame Church, Adams. Cremation will follow, with inurnment in Bellevue Cemetery, Adams. A visitation period for family and friends will be observed Friday from 8 till time of service. MCBRIDE FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to Notre Dame Church or to a charity of the donor's choice in care of the funeral home. Mr. Swartzer also leaves many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three sisters, Minnie Schwarzer, Helen LaPalm and Florence Clark, and by two brothers, Paul and Arthur Swartzer.

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