Joseph F.

Schwartz

Joseph F. Schwartz, 92, of Northampton passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at Scenic View Personal Care, Palmerton, surrounded by his loving family. Joe and his wife, Arlene Kerelo Schwartz, celebrated 68 years of marriage on April 19th. Born August 4, 1934, in Stiles, raised in Northampton, he was the son of the late Joseph “Sep” Schwartz and Mary T. (Schimeneck) Schwartz.

He played baseball for Northampton high school and Coplay legion. He earned a bachelor’s degree from East Stroudsburg University and a master’s degree from Lehigh University, dedicating his career to education, teaching biology until his retirement in 1993. He had a lifelong passion for coaching baseball, notably as the varsity coach of Northampton H. S. and Northampton’s Connie Mack team. His teams won the Lehigh Valley League, the state Connie Mack title in 1967, and the Mason Dixon tournament.

He was a driving force of the Northampton Athletic Association throughout the 1960s and 70s serving as their president. He was the director of recreation for Northampton borough for twenty-five years, supervising the summer playground program. He was a lifelong devoted member of Queenship of Mary (OLH) parish, serving as a member of the choir, past president of the Holy Name Society, and previous member of the parish council. In addition to baseball, he enjoyed fly fishing and playing pinochle with his fellow teachers.

In addition to his wife, Joe is survived by his sons, Dr. Edward Schwartz and his wife, Peg, Joseph Schwartz and his wife, Maryellen; daughter, Melissa Steward and her husband, Matthew; 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Patricia Berner, sister-in-law, Carol Ann Schwartz, nieces and nephews. Joe was predeceased by his brother, Richard, brothers-in-law, Alfred Berner and John Kerelo, and sister-in-law, Mary Kerelo.

A visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 17th from 8:15 to 10:15 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., in Queenship of Mary Church, 1324Newport Ave. Northampton. Interment will be in Our Lady of Hungary Cemetery, Northampton. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be presented to the church in Joe’s memory. Online condolences may be offered below.