David D. Swart

David D. Swart, Sr., passed away gracefully on April 3, 2020, with his wife of 50 years, Pamela, beside him. Dave was 69 years old. His passing is a direct result of complications brought on by the corona virus disease (COVID-19).

Born March 29, 1951, to the late Arden and Josephine Swart, Dave was a lifelong Amsterdam resident and graduated from Wilbur H. Lynch High School in 1969.

Dave was a retired Lieutenant and 30-year veteran of the Amsterdam Fire Department and former president of the Amsterdam Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2825. Dave is well-known throughout the Amsterdam community as the owner/operator of Dave’s Dawgs. Dave was a professional wallpaper hanger and painter, and he owned/operated The Color Shop, a Palatine Bridge-based paint and wallpaper shop, for much of his life.

Dave is survived by wife, Pamela (Frollo) Swart, married December 26, 1970; one son, David (QianQian) Swart, Jr.; two daughters, Rebecca (Kevin) Cozzocrea and Jennifer Swart; granddaughter Amanda Swart; sisters, Debi Cannizzaro and Penny Swart; and grandchildren, Connor and Griffin Cozzocrea, David Swart, III., and Alexander Swart. Dave adored his dogs Molly, Sophie and (his favorite) Dixie-Doo, who is over the moon to be reunited with daddy.

Lieutenant Swart is also survived by brother firefighters, 34 active and countless retired, and rejoins his beloved late brothers, Lieutenant Bernard M. “Bernie” Welch, Battalion Chief Michael J. "Deep" DePasquale, John Carusone, and Ed “Gramps” Krzynowek.

Dave grabbed breakfast every weekend with his Saturday morning breakfast buddy. That was the last errand Dave ran before falling ill.

Dave was a simple man - a do’er. He did not care for politics or controversy or flattery. He worked hard, everyday. He woke before the sun, everyday. He helped, everyday. He snored, loudly! He loved, big. He is loved, HUGE. Dave was a first-responder in profession, in family, in friendship, in spirit.

Dave’s life will be celebrated by family, brothers, friends and customers at a time and date to be announced, when we can all gather safely. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking the local community to help support those who carried Dave with such grace in his final days: The heroes working on the front lines against this awful corona virus at St. Mary’s Hospital. Details will be shared via social media and local news outlets.