Obituary for Barry Schwartz
Barry Schwartz
08/16/1943 - 10/12/2018
Dr. Barry Benjamin Schwartz, adored husband, father, and grandfather, died on October 12, 2018 due to complications from lung cancer and multiple strokes. He was 75 years old.
Barry, born in Brooklyn, NY, to Sydney and Harriet Schwartz, was a brilliant self-made man who graduated from high school at the age of 16, earned a perfect 1600 on his SAT’s, got a full scholarship to Brandeis University, and became a doctor by age 25 after graduating Summa Cum Laude from Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY.
A man of utmost intellect and pragmatism, he was utterly respected by those who knew him. As a tremendous family man, he was loved by all close to him.
Barry grew up in Long Beach, New York, where he met his wife, Linda. For his work, Linda and Barry moved to Cincinnati, Ohio; Barrington, RI; and then Providence, RI, where they lived and raised their family for almost 20 years.
Dr. Schwartz was an internal medicine doctor specializing in nephrology for over 25 years. During this time, he opened his own private practice and held numerous prestigious positions at Miriam Hospital.
After great success in private practice, Dr. Schwartz leant his talents to the insurance industry. He worked for several insurance companies, where he made an impact on countless people across the country by focusing on establishing medical coverage for many illnesses and treatments. This career shift led Dr. Schwartz to move to Albany, NY; Champaign, IL; and finally, Tampa, FL, where he became the Vice President of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida in 2001 and held that position until his retirement.
Dr. Schwartz, a man always looking to further his skills, became a mediator for insurance companies as a part time job during his retirement.
Barry Schwartz was a great man, in the truest sense of the words. He is and will continue to be sorely missed by all that had the pleasure to meet him and his passing will leave an empty place in the hearts of all whom loved him. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Linda; his children, Marc (Carrie), Stacy (Randy), and Eric; and his grandchildren, Caitlyn (18), Jordan (15), Nina (11), Victor (9), Maddie (4), and Emmett (1).