HALIFAX — Irving Schwartz of Sydney, N.S., who passed away Yom Kippur morning, leaves a legacy of superb business acumen combined with a strong capacity for philanthropy and compassion.
Schwartz, who worked a full day Friday before heading home for the holiday, was 81. He had battled cancer and Parkinson’s disease for the last two years, but remained totally active in his business and volunteer activities.
Born and raised in New Waterford, N.S., Schwartz developed his business sense at an early age, working in his parents’ clothing store with his two sisters and three brothers.
At 13, his mother, Rose, who raised her children and ran the business when her husband died prematurely, sent him on a furniture-buying trip that would shape his business future.
He rose to prominence by building his furniture business, Schwartz Furniture, developing the catchphrase “I guarantee it,” which was used in numerous promotional ads through the years.
Schwartz was involved with a number of companies during his life, dabbling in things as diverse as nursing homes, coal-washing and even treasure hunting.
He was the founder and CEO of Schwartz and Co. Ltd. and president of Seaside Communications, a major cable TV distributor in eastern Nova Scotia. He worked to bring high-speed Internet to all parts of Cape Breton, no matter how rural, because he believed it was vital to the business future of the province, comparing the need for high-speed Internet throughout the province to the need for electricity in every home several generations ago.
Giving back to his community was also important to Schwartz. He was involved with the Cape Breton Children’s Aid Society, the Lions Club and Junior Achievement. In 1996, he founded the Canadian International Demining Corps, a charitable organization committed to removing land mines from war zones. Its headquarters is in Sydney and Schwartz was chairman of the volunteer board at the time of his passing.
He recently helped lead a campaign to raise $5.4 million for an expansion of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital’s cancer centre.
For his many efforts, both in business and shaping a better community, Schwartz was recognized with a number of awards, including induction into the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame and the Cape Breton Business Hall of Fame. Schwartz was also an officer of the Order of Canada and held an honorary doctor of laws from Dalhousie University.
Condolences from political leaders poured in as news of his death spread.
“Irving Schwartz was not only a remarkable businessman, his legacy as a community leader and philanthropist will be the achievements for which he is most remembered,” Premier Darrell Dexter said in a statement. “I was deeply saddened to learn of his death.
“Cape Breton was very fortunate to have a leader like Irving Schwartz,” added Deputy Premier Frank Corbett. “His passion for life, family and community will be sorely missed.”
Danny Graham, former Nova Scotia Liberal leader, knew Schwartz for 30 years as a family friend and community leader.
“He’s been a role model in Cape Breton. He loved the island and always advanced the best interests of Cape Breton first,” Graham said. “Nobody straddled the rails of being both a business leader and a community leader with the kind of excellence that Irving did in Cape Breton.”
Schwartz is survived by his wife, Diana Usher, and four children. His funeral took place Sept. 20 at Sydney’s Membertou Trade and Convention Centre and was attended by more than 1,000 people, including Dexter and other dignitaries.