Dr. Gerald Swartz, Williamsville ophthalmologist

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Dr. Gerald Swartz, 79, of Williamsville, died Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in Amherst.

He was a Williamsville ophthalmologist who performed thousands of eye surgeries during his career.

Dr. Swartz, who was born in Sarnia, Ontario, received his bachelor's degree from the University of Western Ontario. He attended medical school at the same university.

He completed his residency at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York before continuing his training in Montreal.

In 1960, he opened his ophthalmology practice in Williamsville, specializing in retinal surgery. The Lions Club donated a retinal laser machine for him to use.

Dr. Swartz served for two years as the president of Millard Fillmore Gates Circle and Suburban hospitals. He was also chief of ophthalmology at both hospitals and served on the hospitals' executive boards.

Dr. Swartz was a board-certified ophthalmologist and a member of the American College of Surgeons and the Erie County Medical Society. During the four decades that he practiced, he performed 10 surgeries a week and trained most of the region's ophthalmologists.

In his free time, Dr. Swartz loved to play golf. He was a member of Brookfield Country Club.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Adeline; daughter, Ellen Simpson; three sons, Michael Winston, William and Mark; and a sister, Evelyn Wolf.

Services were held Friday, March 28 at the Beach-Tuyn Funeral Home in Williamsville.