Dr Alan Schwartz, PhD, 86, of Avon, CT passed away on March 26. Born June 10, 1932 in Hartford, CT, Alan was the son of the late Hilda (Lachever) and Philip Schwartz. He attended Weaver High School in Hartford. He was a veteran of the Korean War and served in the Navy stationed in Guam where he met his future wife Suzanne Gill. Alan received a BA in English from UCONN where he became very active in theater as a director and actor. He received an MFA from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Alan became an Associate Professor in Speech and Communication at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY where he founded the Speech Department and taught for over 30 years. He received his PhD. from New York University and went on to train in the field of human behavior and remained active for over a half-century. He trained at the Institute of Bioenergetic Analysis and in Gestalt with Laura Perls & Jim Simkin. Alan practiced Gestalt Therapy in both NY and CT. He conducted many workshops throughout Europe and North America and spent over 40 years at Esalen Institute as a workshop leader. Alan was a founding member of the American Association of Gestalt Therapists and a full member of the New York Institute of Gestalt Therapists. Alan wrote and published many articles and authored the book Life Force- Death Force, The Structure of Human Energy and the Biology of Greed. Alan possessed a brilliant intellect, remaining active in his profession until his death.

Alan was a world ranked triathlete completing his last triathlon on his 80th birthday and a 5k on his 85th birthday. He held many titles and participated in the World Triathlon Championships all throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand and North America where he placed first in numerous events. He was an Iron Man Referee and an International Triathlon Referee.

Alan and his life partner of 19 years, Sheila Sweeny, loved travel, theater, music and the arts. Alan was an overseer at The Bushnell Center of Performing Arts in Hartford where he worked as an usher when a teenager.

He is survived by his children Mark Schwartz, Matthew Schwartz, Margaret Lagana, Susanna O’Brien, Eric Schwartz and their spouses Susan, Carol, John, David and Georgia. His grandchildren Lauren & Luke Schwartz, Daniel & Matthew O’Brien, Jonathan & Sophia Schwartz and two great-grandchildren Eve & Liam Schwartz. He is also survived by his brothers Lawrence Schwartz and sister-in-law Merle of West Hartford and Edward Schwartz and sister-in-law Nancy of South Carolina, several nephews and nieces.

His is also survived by his life partner Sheila Sweeny and her children Maureen Sweeny, Thomas Sweeny, Erin Larkin, their grandchildren Colleen Tsilimos, Patrick, Dylan and Sean Sweeny, Jack, Ronan and Michael Larkin and great grandchildren Elizabeth & Thomas Tsilimos.

Alan’s wife, Suzanne Gill-Schwartz, predeceased him.

His zest for life was ever-present and will be missed.

Services will be private. Donations can be made in the name of Alan Schwartz to the Bushnell Center of Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106-1621. The Vincent Funeral Home of Canton is caring for the arrangements. Please visit Alan’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.