Entrepreneur Richard J. Schwartz, Sr. recounts what it was like growing up in the 1920s and ’30s, his military service and how he grew his business in an autobiography titled Confessions of an Old Geezer. Schwartz draws from a diary he kept for his wife, Vivian, during his military service during World War II. He goes on to tell about resuming his civilian life, raising a family and the events that led to the establishment of Northwest Trailer Supply at 5070 Ridge Road West in Spencerport. “An incident occurred while at the (hunting camp in Osceola, also known as the Tug Hill Plateau) that changed the remainder of my life,” he writes in Chapter VII. “Three hunters had set up camp a short distance from our camp, but not in the conventional manner. They were living in a travel trailer. It was really neat, 19 feet in length with aluminum siding and sleeping accommodations for six. Vi and I fell in love with the concept, our own home on wheels.” “All during the winter months of 1959/60, we studied brochures and learned all we could about the travel trailer concept. At that time, there were not many brands of trailers on the market. Although living quarters on wheels had been in existence since the golden days of travel across the far horizons of the old west, I still felt like a pioneer,” Schwartz writes. Starting with $1,500 and an idea, Richard and Vi Schwartz and their family parlayed the investment into over $4 million in gross sales over the years. The couple faced national economic problems such as the high interest rates of the 1970s and gas rationing yet became know as the area’s RV headquarters. At 84, Schwartz writes that he is ready to reflect on his full and adventuresome life. Local residents will immediately identify with the references to Faun Lake -- “A quiet place in the woods” -- and how the Schwartz’ participated in its growth. Lovers of traveling, the twosome has taken 25 cruises, including voyages to Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama and numerous motor home travels across the United States and into Canada. The writer also recounts these in his book. Richard and Vi Schwartz now divide their time between Tavares, Florida and Bliss, New York. Confessions of an Old Geezer is available on the internet through Authorhouse.com ($20 for soft cover and $26.60 for hard cover). It is also available from the author for $10 for soft cover and $15 for hard cover with an additional $2 for shipping and handling. Contact: Richard J. Schwartz, Sr., 726 Viking Avenue, Tavares, FL 32778; 352-343-6150. May 6, 2007 |
