Jeffery Paul Schwind (Jeff) passed away unexpectedly on June 15, 2023 in Jersey City. He was 65.
Jeff was a daily presence at Van Vorst Park where he spent time maintaining the gardens, setting up for events and decorating for the holidays. Halloween was his favorite. Jeff was part of a small group of green-thumbs that comprise the Friends of Van Vorst Park which planted and now maintains the park’s 19 gardens and lawns. Jeff loved interacting with park-goers and even the youngest visitors were kindly taught to respect and care for the park Jeff loved.
Jeff was born August 4, 1957 in Toledo, Ohio to Gerald A and Wilma M (Keil) Schwind. He graduated from St Charles Borromeo Catholic School and Toledo Central Catholic High School where he was a three year member of National Honor Society and four year band member.
In 1979 Jeff graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Jeff was one of 13 undergraduates selected to the Blue Key National Honor Society chapter for his leadership, scholarship and involvement at the university and became vice president of the Blue Key chapter. Always willing to try new things, Jeff spent time as a Cheerleader for the Toledo Rockets basketball team and dressed as the football team mascot, Rocky the Rocket.
Jeff was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity and upon graduation worked for the National Fraternity as a Leadership Consultant visiting chapters nationwide. He then became Assistant Executive Director for the national fraternity and in 1985 was awarded the Key of Delta Beta XI for 10+ years of dedicated alumni service to the fraternity.
Jeff began his airline career with PeoplExpress in 1984 as a Customer Service Manager in Detroit, Michigan and Newark, New Jersey. From this early role, Jeff began to make an unforgettable impact on the people he worked with across three airlines. After the merger between PeoplExpress and Continental in 1987, he earned his wings and became a flight attendant for Continental. Those flying with Jeff will always remember his professionalism and overall humble demeanor.
Jeff was part of a small group of green-thumbs that comprise the Friends of Van Vorst Park which planted and now maintains the park’s 19 gardens and lawns.
Jeff became an Inflight Training Instructor in 1992. Anyone having the pleasure of being taught by Jeff would use adjectives such as intelligent, steady, benevolent and calm to describe him. Jeff taught Recurrent Training and Continuing Qualification (CQ) in Newark, New Jersey for the past 31 years. Attending CQ can be stressful for even the most seasoned flight attendants but Jeff’s warm and welcoming presence put them at ease. He was poised and professional and had the respect of the flight attendants and pilots he trained.
Jeff joined the Inflight Recruiting Team in 2005. This is where Jeff soared because of his intuition and commitment to excellence. His dedication to professionalism meant he had lofty standards for those he hired and he treated each candidate like he treated each coworker and customer- with the utmost dignity and respect. The great gift Jeff has left is his legacy; a legacy of excellence that lives on in all the flight attendants he has hired, trained and influenced through the years. He has touched many lives in the 36 years that he committed himself to United Airlines.
Jeff is survived by his brother, Edward (Christine) Schwind, sisters Susan (John) Samberg and Amy (Jerome) Biblewski as well as many nieces and nephews.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents and sister Karen McLaughlin.
A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 2301 Detroit Ave., Maumee, Ohio on Saturday, August 26 from 12-4 p.m.
The family asks that memorials be made to Friends of Van Vorst Park, Jersey City in Jeff’s name.
A Jersey City memorial celebration will take place in the Fall. Please email Friends of Van Vorst Park for details.