Luke Hoss Schwerin, of Sandy Hook, loving father of Colton Hoss Schwerin, passed away at his home in Sandy Hook, Conn., on Sunday, May 9. He was 43.

Luke was born on March 5, 1978, in Morristown, N.J., to Judy (Hoss) Colton and Tom Schwerin. He grew up in Newtown, a place that cultivated his love of the outdoors and the natural world. One of his favorite places to hike was Steep Rock. Along with his three siblings, Juliana, T.R., and Kate, Luke explored the woods, streams, and farm lands surrounding his childhood home on Phyllis Lane. He spent long summer days going on mini adventures and stirring up trouble with his best friends. Luke graduated from Newtown High School in 1996.

Luke’s favorite place was the beach, which makes perfect sense because it was naturally where he could be without a shirt. Luke loved warm weather. He despised being cold and famously hibernated through the winter. He had a notorious sweet tooth with a penchant for chocolate. He was also a prolific consumer of celery and dried spaghetti. His greatest love was for his son Colton. Becoming a father to him in 2015 was the highlight of Luke’s life. Every Saturday, Luke and Colton had “Cool Dudes Day,” making dump runs in Luke's truck Colton had named “Black Beauty,” followed by trips to Dickinson Park. Saturday nights were for movies at Jacquie’s house.

Luke will be remembered for his million-dollar smile, one that warmed complete strangers from the inside out. He was loyal and gentle, and always ready to lend a helping hand. Luke was a good friend, a great brother, and the best father.

Luke was preceded in death by his father, Tom.

He is survived by his son, Colton Schwerin, of Sandy Hook; his mother, Judy (Hoss) Colton, and stepfather, Bill Colton, of Southbury.; his sister, Juliana (Schwerin) Kelly, and brother-in-law, Michael Kelly, of Ladera Ranch, Calif.; his brother, T.R. Schwerin, of Aspen, Colo.; his sister, Kate Schwerin, of Carbondale, Colo.; and his nephews, Michael and Declan Kelly. Luke is also survived by several cousins and many beloved friends.

Friends may call on Saturday, May 15, at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street in Newtown, from 11 am to 2 pm.

Donations can be made to Colton’s GoFundMe under “Colton’s Fund in Memory of Luke Schwerin.”