Eric Schwartz

Eric G. Schwartz, of Arlington, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2022, after a short illness at the age of 79..  Beloved husband of Linda Watson Robinson, devoted father of Gregory Schwartz and stepfather of Ben (Laurie Rogers), Keziah, Hannah, and Nat Robinson, fond step-grandfather of Chaya, Ziva, and Ada Robinson, loyal friend to his former wife Jean (Batista) Schwartz.   Born in Brooklyn, NY, Eric earned a B.A. from Queens College and an M.F.A. from the New England Conservatory of Music.  He retired in 2003 from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, where he worked enthusiastically as a computer programmer for nearly 30 years, quietly maintaining the infrastructure of the banking system, including the check sorters in their years of declining use.

Eric was an accomplished pianist and accompanist.  In 1967, during his army service in Vietnam, he was chosen to accompany the legendary tenor and cantor Richard Tucker when he came to conduct a Seder for Jewish servicemen and to entertain the troops in Saigon.   That led to his inclusion in a touring singing and comedy quintet of enlisted men who were ferried by helicopter to and from remote outposts where no stars and dancing girls could go.    He loved choral music, opera, and especially Gilbert and Sullivan.    He participated avidly during his entire working life in local choirs and amateur and semi pro productions as a performer, accompanist, composer, rehearsal director, and music director.

Eric had a lifelong passion for mind sports, most notably the game of bridge.  He was an Emerald Life Master.   From his early days playing with future world champions in college, through hundreds of sessions at the Chess Club in Boston, to frequent competitions at the highest levels in North American Bridge Championships and more recently in online international competitions, he loved bridge and the camaraderie around it.   A passionate and lifelong fan of baseball, he grew up adoring the Brooklyn Dodgers.  Following their exodus, he rejoiced and despaired each day during the baseball season with the ups and frequent downs of his beloved New York Mets., whom he followed obsessively for the entirety of his remaining years.

All services will be private.  He will be laid to rest in Long Island alongside his parents, Samuel and Cecil (Schoichet) Schwartz.