SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Michael Jules Schwarz, 80, of San Diego, California, passed away in peace on May 2. He was surrounded by his family and friends, as he had spent his whole life.
Michael is survived by his wife Susan, his daughter Liana Schwarz and son-in-law Mike Montgomery of Pacific Palisades, CA, and his granddaughter Ella Montgomery (13), and his daughter Rachel Schwarz of San Diego, CA. He is also survived by his cousins who were like siblings to him as an only child, Julio (and Kathy) Veinbergs, Jacobo (and Cristy) Veinbergs, and Sylvia Galicot. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Gail Wurtz, brothers-in-law Jeff Golokow (Noberto Sandoval) and David Golokow, and by many loving cousins and extended family members.
He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 12, 1943, to Erwin Schwarz and Gerda “Grace” Schwarz (Segal) where he spent his formative childhood years. Michael moved with his family to San Diego in 1959 where his parents opened a gift shop.
Upon graduation from Clairemont High School in San Diego, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served for four years and earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Ribbon. He remained in San Diego for his college career, graduating from San Diego State University.
Michael met the love of his life in San Diego, Susan Schwarz (Golokow) and they married in 1970. Susan was his rock throughout a life filled with so many blessings.
Michael graduated with a degree in business from San Diego State University in 1971. He began his career at Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co. in Los Angeles, where he was the only SDSU graduate in accounting offered a position. Upon the passing of his father in 1972, Michael and Susan returned to San Diego to be closer to family and Michael joined Touche Ross.
Michael’s highly successful career in accounting spanned decades and included the co-founding of several firms and holding leadership positions with the American Society of CPAs and the California Society of CPAs. When Michael retired from accounting, he became the owner and publisher of The San Diego Jewish Times. His passion for print journalism and Jewish life were a joy to him. Michael served on the boards and in leadership positions for the San Diego Jewish Academy (President), Optimist International of San Diego, and the La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club (President) along with several other civic and Jewish organizations.
Michael loved the San Diego Chargers and could often be seen watching the games from his beloved season ticket seats, while also holding a mini television so he could watch the instant replays. (Susan would lovingly join him and could be seen reading a book.)
Members of San Diego’s Temple Emanu-El during that era will remember the puppet shows Michael and his dear friend Lenny Hoisman put on during family Shabbats. Their humor brought laughs to kids and adults alike. (Sometimes not to the Rabbi.) He cherished the times at Temple Emanu-El Family Camp, the Woodchuck Resort, and other adventures and simchas with their beloved Havurah.
Michael’s love of travel took him all over the globe. From trips to Hawaii and skiing excursions with family and friends, to England to drop off Liana in college, to Israel as the publisher of the SDJT, to Asia with Susan in their later years. He always explained to his daughters, “when we travel as a family, that is a trip. When your mother and I travel without you, that’s a vacation.” Michael’s sense of humor was a constant.
More recently, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends both in-person and virtually. He enjoyed board games with his granddaughter, watching NCIS, and he never turned down a good meal or a glass of Johnnie Walker Black Label and soda – no twist! He was grateful that he was able to celebrate his 80th birthday last year with family and friends from numerous decades of his life, which meant so much to him. Most of all, he was grateful that he was able to attend his granddaughter Ella’s Bat Mitzvah this past February.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked for donations to be made to Temple Emanu-El, 6299 Capri Drive San Diego, CA 92120 or The La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club Foundation, 14918 Rancho Nuevo, Del Mar, California 92014.
May his memory be a blessing.
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Preceding was provided by the Schwarz family
My cousin Michael was always kind and I remember him fondly. We practically joined lives and I will miss him. G_d bless and keep his memory in our hearts. Rest in Peace.