Obituary: Jack Copeland Schwartz
Jack Copeland Schwartz, 51, died October 13, 2022, after suffering a heart attack at his home in New Bern, NC. He was born November 7, 1970, in Albany, NY and lived most of his childhood in Kinston, NC. He was the son of David Schwartz and the late Dora Schwartz and the grandson of the late Austin “Jack” and Doris Sansbury and the late David and Robbie Lee Schwartz. Jack attended Parrott Academy and graduated from Kinston High School in 1989. He was active in his childhood church, Gordon Street Christian, and was an Eagle Scout. Jack had a tremendous love of the beach and spent his summers at Emerald Isle.
As a teenager, he worked at the miniature golf course and managed watercraft rentals at a local marina. Jack also loved boating and fishing with his dad, brothers, and friends. He bought his first boat with money he saved while working summers at the beach. He never missed an opportunity to be on the water and was an expert at driving any boat which made him the “captain” of outings with family and friends. After initially attending North Carolina State, Jack earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from East Carolina University. He was an avid sports fan and loved to go to the games of both his schools to cheer on the Pirates and Wolfpack!
After college, Jack started a 15-year career in the banking industry which he primarily spent with MBNA in both Delaware and Florida. He held multiple roles including loss prevention, business development, customer service, and forecasting. While working in Wilmington, DE for MBNA, Jack met his former wife, Elizabeth, and they had daughter, Annabelle. Jack adored his daughter, Annabelle. He loved spending time with her, attending her sports and school events, and playing with their dog, Dixie. Jack’s other passion was his friends. He had the extraordinary gift of being able to talk to anyone and easily make friends who he kept in touch with throughout his life. People naturally gravitated to his outgoing personality, love of life and his great humor. Jack seemed to know someone everywhere he went and always had a smile and a story to share. Tributes to Jack’s loyalty, light and inspiration have poured in and are a comfort to the family.
As his friends know, Jack faced a lifelong challenge with rheumatoid arthritis and endured more than 15 major surgeries including multiple hip and knee replacements. Although first diagnosed as a child, he never used his ailment as an excuse. Jack always gave life everything he had so that many weren’t aware of his challenges until he couldn’t hide the toll the arthritis had taken on his body. Jack endured pain his entire life, but never complained and was always positive and uplifting to those around him.
In addition to his father, Jack is survived by his daughter, Annabelle Schwartz of New Bern, NC and her mother Elizabeth Miller Walker; his brother Doug Schwartz and wife Lisa of Raleigh, NC; his brother Greg Schwartz and wife Susan of Plano, TX; his niece and nephews Caitlin, Brandon (wife Carly), Cameron, David, and Drew Schwartz.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, Nov. 12th at Centenary United Methodist Church at 309 New Bern St., New Bern, NC. Visitation will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Jack’s memory to your local Boy Scout Troop or other charity of your choice.
