Retired Sazerac brands marketer Stanley Schwam passes away at 98

STANLEY SCHWAM, a beloved Jewish community member, supporter of Scouting and a marketer and promoter of the Sazerac Company, died peacefully at his home on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was 98.

STANLEY SCHWAM

As a young man living in Brooklyn, New York, he attained the rank of Life Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, an organization in whose mission he was deeply dedicated and followed its principles steadfastly and with boundless enthusiasm. He later served in the Army at the end of World War II, before coming to New Orleans to attend Tulane University on the G..I bill. It was in the Crescent City that he got married, started his family and returned to active service during the Korean War.

He worked tirelessly in the spirits industry staying with the Sazerac Bottling Company for his entire career, often called upon to give a history of the company during his later years. 

Schwam was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth Freeman Schwam, who died in 2014. He is survived by his three children – Julie Schwam Harris (Seth) , Shira Schwam-Baird (David), and Nathan Alan Schwam (Danielle Nice), five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 

A loving father, dedicated family archivist, and gregarious friend to all he met at parties and onegs, he was an amateur radio operator with the call sign WA5YYG. He took part in quite a number of  B’nai B’rith activities, loved taking rafting trips in the West’s most beautiful canyons and dedicated himself to the study of Torah. His upbringing assured he had a lifelong appreciation and love of classical music and opera. He was a season subscriber to both the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Orleans Opera Association until his health prevented him from attending performances.  

A graveside service for family and friends was held on Friday, July 24, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at Hebrew Rest Cemetery #3. An indoor celebration of his  life will be held at a later date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Touro Synagogue, Delta Chapter of the Sierra Club, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements were entrusted to Tharp Funeral Home.