James Spencer (Jim) Swartz died at home on Feb. 6 under the care of Hospice of the Western Reseve after a brief battle with lung cancer. He was 72.

He was born in Oak Bluffs on Oct. 27, 1944, to Frank and Eleanora (Spencer) Swartz. Jim proudly served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Boxer, LPH-4 and Guadalcanal LPH. He loved fishing and gardening, and spent many hours in the backyard gardening or talking on the phone with his beloved brother, Bob, swapping stories about their gardens.

Jim loved to cook and make any gathering a celebration. He was proud to pass on his passion for cooking to the next generation of grandsons. Each grandchild experienced a rite of passage by spending two weeks at Papa’s in the summer. During these summer vacations on Cape Cod, many joyful times were had fishing, swimming and gardening with Papa sharing his tall tales and life lessons.

Jim was a proud member of the American Legion. He retired from the Gannett newspaper business as circulation director in 1995. Jim said his brother Ralph first got him interested in the business.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia (Smith) Swartz; daughters Christine Snow and her husband George, Denise Ubienski and her husband Michael, Dorene Sheehan and her husband David, Tracy Lane and her husband Terri; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; siblings Audrey Dugan, Cynthia Baker, Robert Swartz, Emory Swartz and Ralph Swartz.

He was predeceased by his parents, and brothers Frank Swartz and Richard Swartz.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, at Waite & Son Funeral Home, 765 N. Court St., Medina, Ohio. Interment will be private at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville.

Online condolences may be left at waitefuneralhome.com.