George J. Schwartz III

Born and raised in Dunkirk, NY, George attended local schools and graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1946. He attended Notre Dame University where he received a BA in journalism in 1951. He then enlisted in the US Army and served fifteen months in Korea during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged in 1953, George returned to Dunkirk where he worked as a reporter/photographer and sports editor at the Dunkirk Evening Observer alongside his father, Herbert G. Schwartz, who was the city editor for the newspaper.

In 1956, George moved out west and briefly worked at a photographer at the Santa Ana Register in Santa Ana, CA and the Associated Press in Cheyenne, WY. In 1958, he relocated to Alta, Utah and spent five years shooting photos in the ski areas of Winter Park and Aspen, CO, which was the start of photography becoming his lifelong profession. In 1965, George moved Sun Valley, ID where was a photographer for the Sun Valley ski area. He became one of the elite ski and scenic photographers of the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s.

George married Monserrate De Jesus in 1970, and they traveled throughout the country working as freelance scenic photographers. Their work was distributed by New York City based F.P.G., Inc, with images published both nationally and internationally. The couple eventually moved to Oregon, living in Bend and then on the coast in Newport and Seal Rock where Monserrate died in 2009. In 2019, George moved to Eugene to be closer to family, and he finally settled in the warmer climate of Florida in 2023.

While in Newport, George and Monseratte were dedicated members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where they were Eucharistic Ministers. George was a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 7246 and a member of the Newport American Legion. He also volunteered with the Lincoln County Foodshare for five years. George was a member of the Notre Dame Alumni Association and the Notre Dame Club of Oregon.

George is survived by his sister, Judith Reuter of Tonawanda, NY; his stepchildren, James Rodriguez (Kimberly) and Jospeh Navaz of Florida, and Lizette White (Ronald) of Marcola, OR; three step- grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren; and five nieces and nephews.

In Spring 2026, George will be laid to rest next to his loving wife Monserrate at the Upper Mabel Cemetery in Marcola. George’s family remember him as a kind, easy going, loving man, and his laughter and gentle nature will be greatly missed.