Deputy tax receiver Kenneth Schwitz dies

Kenneth Schwitz, the deputy receiver of taxes in the Town of North Hempstead who was known for his devotion to politics, died early Thursday at his home in Williston Park. He was 54.

An autopsy revealed the cause of death to be heart failure, said his sister, Tammy Robbins of Locust Valley, a Nassau County judge.

Schwitz was born in Woodbury to Shirley and Sydney Schwitz, a social worker and orthodontist, respectively. He graduated from Syosset High School in 1975 and from C.W. Post College, now LIU Post, in Old Brookville. During the late 1970s, Schwitz became active in politics.

Before becoming North Hempstead's deputy receiver of taxes, Schwitz worked under Receiver of Taxes Ann Galante from 1992 to 2001. He resumed the position in 2010 under Charles Berman, the current receiver of taxes.

"He was one of the hardest workers and best public servants I ever knew," Berman said. "He's going to leave behind a very big void that will only grow deeper over time, but he will live on in our hearts."

Schwitz was involved in several campaigns, serving as treasurer for that of former North Hempstead receiver of taxes Rocco Iannarelli and town Councilwoman Doreen Banks. At his death, he was serving as treasurer of the North Hempstead Democratic Committee.

North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman and Schwitz worked together on several campaigns in the 1980s and '90s, before Kaiman became a political leader. When a new deputy receiver of taxes was needed two years ago, Schwitz was considered a perfect fit. However, after nine years, it took some persuading to get him back into the office, Kaiman said. "We told him that we needed him," Kaiman said. "His skill set was exactly what we were looking for."

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Kaiman said Schwitz had a quiet yet strong presence. "You could just rely on the work getting done, no matter how complicated or crazy things got," said Kaiman. "He mastered the details. You can never replace Ken Schwitz. He gave everything he had in a very quiet way."

Joseph Galante, a New York State deputy comptroller, met Schwitz in 1984, while both worked for then-Long Island Congressman Robert Mrazek. "No one worked harder than Ken," Galante said. "He was always willing to lend a helping hand."

In addition to his sister, Schwitz is survived by his mother, Shirley, of Floral Park; his brother, Mark, and four nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Schwitz will be held on March 11 at 2:30 p.m. in Clinton G. Martin Park in New Hyde Park.