Raymond Swart, Jr.

Defreestville – Raymond A. Swart, Jr. passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at St. Peter’s Hospital after a courageous battle with pancreatitis and sepsis. Born in Troy he was the son of Raymond A. and Mary C. (Michalski) Swart, Sr. Ray was Chief of Operations for Waterford Rescue Squad and had been working for WRS since 1995. He was a devoted volunteer, he joined the Defreestville Fire Department at age 16 and rose through the ranks and was Fire Chief from 2008 to 2014. Ray was also a Life Member with over 30 years of service to his community and the Defreestville Fire Department. He served on many committees throughout his service at DFD but was most proud of being on the Building Committee for the new Defreestville Fire Station. He was also a member with the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs. Ray is survived by his devoted wife Rebecca (Yetto) Swart (together 27 years); his loving children, Kyle (10) and Ryan (6); his siblings, Cathy (Michael) LeMay, Michele (Tom) Darling, Allan (Selena Lozo) Swart and Michael ( Keri Bushey) Swart and his mother-in-law Bonny (James) Mounteer. He is also survived by several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Funeral from the W. J. Lyons Jr., Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Ave. Rensselaer on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 9:30am and 10:30am at Sacred Heart Church, Pawling and Spring Avenues, Troy, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home Friday, from 3 to 8pm. Interment will follow the Mass in Bloomingrove Cemetery, Defreestville. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Defreestville Fire Dept. 350 No. Greenbush Rd., Troy, NY 12180, or Waterford Rescue Squad, Inc. PO Box 249, Waterford, New York 12188.