Clarence F. “Buz” Swyers entered into the arms of his Savior on May 19, 2021 and heard Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
A resident of Apopka, FL, Clarence Swyers was born on November 4, 1936 in Buffalo, NY. Predeceased by his first wife, Diane M. Lenahan Swyers, Buz is survived by his loving wife Patricia Goralski Swyers; children: Eugene (Suzanne) Swyers, Tamra (Eric) Wagner, John (Nancy) Swyers, Glen (Sara) Swyers, Bruce (Carrie) Swyers, Aaron (Karly) Swyers, Rebekah (Paul) Nantais and Capt Sarah Swyers, USAF; 18 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and brother-in-law Donald Goralski, as well as cousins, nieces, and nephews. Given that nickname by his older brother, Buz was “unforgettable.” As a child, with his Dad’s help, he started his first business venture selling ice-cold “soda pop” at the end of a bus route in south Buffalo on hot summer days! Dipping his hand into a bucket of ice water, he’d bring out a bottle and ask passengers, “Aren’t you thirsty?” Married with a young family, he took a leap of faith and started a printing business in the basement of his home. During a time of desperate struggle, Buz cried out to God: “If You’re real, help me.” He often shared: “I woke up the next morning with the same problems, but somehow had peace that God would get me through.” A brief encounter at his business led to a trip to the Philippines to set up a print shop at a Bible School in northern Luzon. He worked on the print shop during day and traveled to barrios at dusk where he was introduced to preach. His response was: “I’m not a preacher. I’m a printer, but I can tell them the love story of what Jesus has done in my life.”
He returned home with a dream and vision: “If God can use me, He can use anybody!” So, in January 1977, Buz led the first of many teams of “ordinary people” to minister to the needs of people who lived in huts in remote barrios and in magnificent homes in major cities in the Philippines and Honduras. They saw God do extraordinary things. The door to his office was always open to employees, vendors, clients, friends, and of course, family. Though his business grew, his ego never did. A former employee once described Buz as “an incredible heart person, a man of honesty, integrity, and compassion.” He truly cared about people and easily made new friends wherever he went. As a businessman, he was thrilled to have his sons as partners and thrilled that the business supported about 70 employees and their families. It gave him joy to organize and run golf tournaments raising funds for charities and mission projects. He was honored to take a portion of his business profit to build and supply print shops for national pastors and missionaries in eleven third-world nations.
Later in life, he Patti, and Aaron began a new venture and worked together for years, creating websites and artwork, writing and editing, and managing print projects. Retirement was not part of his vocabulary, and even this year, he worked on one more project. Buz’s passion for people to know Christ and discover God’s plan and purpose for their life was insatiable. A man of tremendous energy, he was an encourager and a helper, always eager to assist with ideas, resources, and direction. He wanted to see others succeed. Buz Swyers was all about family. When friends teased him about starting a new family in his forties, saying “Better you than me,” he would joyfully reply, “You’re right; better me than you! I’m loving it!” He made sure he attended his children’s T-ball, baseball, softball, soccer, and hockey games along with gymnastics events and school concerts. Buz always made time for family and had a hilarious sense of humor which meant we were never short of laughter. There will be Buz stories told for years to come. Through life’s ups and downs, hardships and successes, he remained steadfast in his love for the Lord, an example to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, our family asks that you would consider making a gift to one of the organizations listed below:
Maranatha Missionary Outreach
Project: Rancho Ni Cristo
Rancho ni Cristo opened it’s doors in December of 2015. RNC opened with the dream of building a safe haven for young girls, 12 years old and younger, who have been victims of sex trafficking. Through partnering with CURE Foundation, we are able to help provide, not only a safe place, but a center of healing and spiritual restoration.
Donation Website: http://www.mmoworld.org/our-projects
Mighty Oaks Foundation
Project: Supporting Veterans Programs
Mighty Oaks provides peer-to-peer resiliency and recovery programs that serve as the catalyst to assist our Nation’s Warriors dealing with challenges related to the struggles of daily military life, combat deployments and the symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PTS) offered at no cost to our Nation’s Warriors.
Donation Website: www.mightyoaksprograms.org
To view live stream:
https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1622833401118729
Service
Memorial Service
Loomis Funeral Home
420 W. Main Street, Apopka, FL 32712
10:00am
Blake (Lynn) Morris says
Dear Patti and family,
So sorry to learn, from another dear friend, Bill Keith, of the passing of a precious man whom I met approximately 40 Years ago through FGBMF. Although I lived (still do) on the “other side” of the Niagara River, Buz took me under his wing. He mentored me as I began to take leadership responsibilities and was always “there” if I needed him for a little bit of wisdom or guidance of any magnitude.
Although your move to Florida was of the Lord, I began to miss the kinship that I valued so deeply, even to this day. I am a witness to the fact that Buz touched many, many lives; all for God’s glory. Only Eternity could reveal all the rewards that he has accumulated. Many, I’m sure, will be an amazement even to him. The promise, however, that we have of being re-united with Buz, together with our Savior, is beyond comprehension. What a glorious day that will be! The best part is, it will never end.
Your Canadian friend and brother in Christ, together with my wife Dianne, extend our love and our heartfelt condolences for this temporary separation.
Blake (Lynn) Morris
Marie Kazmierczak says
Dearest Patti and Family,
I am so very sorry to hear of Buz’s passing. I am keeping you and the family in my thoughts and prayers. God has certainly gained another angel from the family. Love, hugs and kisses – Marie
Debby Rabold says
Dear Patti and all my “descendants of Buz” cousins,
Deep condolences on Uncle Buz’s passing. I have many fond memories going back to my childhood of Uncle Buz and all my cousins at our family reunions and the fun we all had together. Uncle Buz will live on in our memories until we meet him again.
Love to you all,
Debby Rabold
Eugene F Conmy II says
I only met Buz when I was a little boy. My father and Buz were Cousin. My dad always had good stories and memorys of him and he always kept in touch with me on FB and asked about my mom and family. Im sure he and my dad will be having a good time in heaven with all the Angel’s god speed Buzz💖😇
Chuck Evans says
I am so sorry for your loss. Buzz was a wonderful man. The love of Jesus was always displayed in his smile and kind words.
Martin J Daly says
Dear Patti,
Buz and I have been lifelong friends since we met in High School in the 1950s. We also became Brothers in Christ, shortly after meeting again in his basement print shop in Orchard Park in the mid 1960s. The Lord then led us down two separate paths. I moved to Central Florida in the 1970s, but we always stayed in touch. I was happy to see his success in Luzon and his devotion to Christ for the rest of his life. He will be missed by everyone, until we meet again on the other side of the Veil! Remember that we are all children of our Heavenly Father, who loves us.
Marty Daly
Nauvoo, Illinois
Fred Raines says
Patty and Swyers family. Buz was a special friend to Kathy and me as we led the Athletes in Action Pro Ministry in Buffalo for now over 30 years! Buz was always there to serve us and encourage us. He helped me put together my first AIA Advisory Board. Many of the outreaches that he organized I assisted him in arranging Buffalo Bills players to share their stories about having a relationship with Christ. For 18 years he helped organize and print our tickets, programs, and banners of our.Call To Courage Breakfast which is an outreach to all of Western New York. Buz was such a foundation building leader for me. Even started an AIA Gof Tournament. We’ll miss his effervescent personality and smile. Always excited to talk about the Lord and his relationship with him. What a gracious and true friend. All our love and prayers, Fred and Kathy Raines
Thomas Buser says
What a gift Buz was , well done, Good and Faithful servant 💝 thank you for all the memories! The Buser family
Dan Bender says
To know Buz was to experience “family.” I had the distinct honor to work with him for 25 years in Swyers Printing along side his sons. All of us together learned at the feet of the Master, Jesus, what it meant to be brothers in Christ. Brought together by His purpose in our lives collectively and individually, we had such a privilege to set our hands to the work He set before us. It was marvelous.
My understanding of the “marketplace” is forever changed because of Buz Swyers and his vision and passion for souls for the Kingdom. Buz’s love for the Word of God was contagious and because of my proximity to Buz on a day-to-day basis, I could not help but assimilate some of that love and reverence for the scriptures.
I would be a poorer man were it not for the experience of knowing my Savior through the life of one of His truly devoted disciples, Buz Swyers.
To Buz’s family… you have always treated me as if I were one of you. My gratitude. This legacy which you embody is a treasure to this generation, and I am at once humbled and proud to be counted as “friend” and “brother.”
May Christ’s peace enfold you now and always until we meet again here or around the great banqueting table.
Warmest regards,
Dan