Bernard J. Swack passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026, with his loved ones at his side.

He was born on July 23, 1930, to Lillian and Myer Swack and grew up on the family farm in West Salem, OH. He was a country boy and proud of it. He loved the outdoors and mowing his yard. He loved business which he learned driving his father all over Ohio for the family’s trucking concern.

He was an innovator. He and his wife, Allegra, started their company, The Provident Companies, over 50 years ago creating affordable housing projects in rural areas of Ohio. This kind of housing was needed in small towns and Bernie and Allegra wanted to fill that void. Bernie was an early proponent of mini storage and built his company, Lock It Up, in the mid 80s. He was a humble man who didn’t realize how many people had jobs and weren’t homeless because of his work. He loved his companies, his family and the many people who worked for him.

He, along with his brothers and sister, graduated from The Ohio State University. So, of course, he was a rabid Ohio State football fan. He loved going to the games in Columbus and several Rose Bowls. He also liked to fish on Lake Erie with his friends and go on cruises. He brought his family on a Disney Cruise for his 95th birthday and had a fantastic time. He had fun telling the crew how old he was and having them make a big fuss over him.

Bernie was preceded in death by his wife, Allegra (Arbib); his son, Charles; his brothers Harvey Swack (Lois), Myron Swack (Janice), and his sister, Barbara Lebowitz ( Dr. Joseph).

He is survived by his daughters Diana Swack Salen and Cheryl Swack (Tim McNabb), his granddaughter Sofia (Jeff Hertzberg) and his sister Sondra Epstein (Howard) and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at McElvain Homes, the former Emanuel Jacob Temple, 973 Larchwood Road, Mansfield, OH on August 30, 2026 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to:

The Renaissance Theatre c/o the Musical Theatre Department, Bernard Swack Memorial, 138 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, OH 44903.

Funeral Home: Beth David Memorial Gardens/Levitt Weinstein Funeral Home

Website: https://www.levitt-weinstein.com