Obituary of Herman John Schwertfeger

Herman J. Schwertfeger Town of Floyd Herman John Schwertfeger, 79, of Floyd, passed away on September 24, 2015 with his loving family by his side. Herman was born on August 10, 1936 to the late Joseph Schwertfeger Sr. and Mary (Ward) Schwertfeger. He was raised in Utica, attending St. Francis DeSales and Utica Free Academy. Herman was united in marriage to Jean Grems on October 23, 1954 at St. Francis DeSales Church of Utica, NY. Herman and Jean were fortunate to spend 60 years together, having 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. He worked at Utica Gear for several years before starting UAP Engine Rebuilders, Inc. with his wife Jean in 1968. Together they ran a successful family business for thirty years, retiring in 1998. Herm was an active member of the Floyd Fire Department for over 50 years, serving as fire chief for 5 years as well as other offices. For the past 18 years, he served the department as a fire commissioner. Often the first to the firehouse, Herman loved to drive the trucks to the scene, in recent years tracking every call he made throughout the year on a special calendar. His dedication to the fire department was near and dear to his heart. As a car enthusiast, Herman loved to show off his old cars around town in the summer, hunting in the fall, and spending the past sixteen winters with Jean in their Naples, FL home. He was always proud of his time spent as county legislator and his special friendships with the county Sheriffs. A regular at Ventura's restaurant, he often took many of his acquaintances there for lunch or dinner. Herman was well known for telling jokes and stories to anyone that would listen. The friendships created through his business, the fire department, around town, or in Florida, he always looked forward to his time spent with others. Herman is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Bethany Schwertfeger of Floyd; two daughters and a son-in-law, Debra and Joe Vanderwood of Zephyrhills, FL, and Sharon Canfield of Floyd; grandchildren, Dustin (Maggie) and Kevin (Julianne) Vanderwood, Renee (Steve) Morrison and Heather (Jake) Bates, Ashleigh (Brian) Sandler and Michael Canfield; great-grandchildren, Avery, Fay, Evaline, Rylan, and Tanner. He was predeceased by his wife, Jean Schwertfeger, two sisters Eileen Edick and Sue Pike, and a brother Joseph Schwertfeger Jr. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street with a burial to follow at Townsend Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home Sunday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a firematic service at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider the Floyd Volunteer Fire Department or the Believe 271 Foundation (Firefighter Cancer Non-profit Organization) at P.O. Box 480, 8530 Old Poland Road, Barneveld, NY 13304. Please offer online condolences at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com.