William Moore Swartwout, Jr., 82, of Lions Head South, Brick passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at Ocean Medical Center in Brick. Mr. Swartwout was a New York City Police Officer for 29 years before retiring in 1991. He began his career at the 9th Precinct on the lower east side of Manhattan and then transferred to the 122nd Precinct in Staten Island. He proudly served his country in the US Army from 1955-1957 and was stationed in Pittsburgh PA, and Fort Dix NJ. Bill was a member of the New York City PBA, the 1013 Club of retired police officers in Brick New Jersey, the Father’s Club at Saint Adalbert’s, and Moore Catholic High School in Staten Island. He was a CYO Basketball coach for Saint Adalbert’s Church in Elm Park, Staten Island where his children attended. He was the recipient of the Cardinal Spellman Award for his dedication to the catholic youth program, which he received at St. Patrick’s Cathedral NYC. Bill was also a Coach at West Shore Little League for over 15 years, coaching both his son’s teams and winning many state championships.
Born and raised in the West Brighton Section of Staten Island, He lived in Elm Park, Staten Island before moving to Brick in 1997. Bill met his wife Shirley in the local corner store one Sunday morning while stopping to by the newspaper. He took one look at her and said that is the girl I am going to marry. He proceeded to visit that store daily which was the beginning of their courtship. Bill and Shirley were married in 1956 and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last November with their family.
Bill cherished his 10 grandchildren. He looked forward to their visits at the house, and introduced them all to the classic black and white western films. He made sure he attended as many if not all of his grandchildren’s baseball, basketball, soccer & track games as well as dance recitals, chorus concerts, and academic ceremonies. One of his fondest memories Bill always spoke about was the spur of the moment phone calls when his grandchildren were away at college to catch him up on how they were doing at school and of course how the NY Yankees played the night before!
Mr. Swartwout was predeceased by his father, William Moore Swartwout, Sr.; mother, Rose Swartwout; son, Robert Swartwout; and son-in-law, John P Healy. Surviving is his wife of 60 years, Shirley (Johnson) Swartwout; sons, William C. and his wife Ellen of Galloway Twp., Paul and his wife Dawn of Brick; daughters, Kathleen Healy of Middletown and Alice Armstrong and her husband, Lance of Toms River; as well as 10 grandchildren, John, Kerry, Brian, Mary, Rachel, Catherine, Lance Matthew, Amanda, Robert and Thomas.
Visiting hours will be on Wednesday from 4-8pm at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road, and Brick. A prayer service will be conducted on Thursday 10am in the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Toms River. In Lieu of Flowers donations may be made in his name to the St. Jude’s Children Hospital.