Joseph B. Schmidt

Joseph B. Schmidt
New York Mills
Joseph B. Schmidt, 80, of New York Mills, died Thursday, March 22, 2012, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born on December 8, 1931, in Utica, the son of Bernard and Emma (Haslauer) Schmidt. Joe was united in marriage to Joyce A. Shay on February 15, 1958, a blessed union of 54 years. He was a devoted parishioner of Our Lady of the Rosary Church, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. He was educated locally, graduating from St. Francis DeSales School in 1949. He served his country honorably in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955. He spent the next two years studying at DeVry Institute in Chicago. He was then employed locally by UNIVAC, Mohawk Data Sciences, and International Computer Limited. Of all the titles that Joe held, his favorites were "Dad" and "Grandpa." His children, Karen Fontanella, of Marietta, GA, Joseph and his wife, Paula, of Whitesboro, NY, Lori and her husband, Scott Gero, of Marietta, GA, Susan and her husband, Richard Spiller, of Knoxville, TN, and Michael and his wife, Sarah, of Schenectady, NY. His cherished grandchildren are Samantha, Stephanie and Sydney Schmidt; Nicholas and Katherine Fontanella; Tommy, Annie and Jack Gero; Brennan, Jalen, Molly and Megan Spiller, Veronica Schmidt, and Bryan Williams. Joe is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Paul and Patricia Schmidt, of Utica, Karl and Joyce Schmidt, of Marcy, Thomas and Stephanie Schmidt, of Whitesboro, Marilyn Mahanna, of Whitesboro, and Roberta Mitsler, of Clinton. Joe was a charter member of the New York Mills Optimist Club, an organization where he held many positions and diligently worked on projects to benefit the community, particularly programs for youth. Joe's family would like to extend a special thanks to Shawn Sherman for his tireless dedication and care. They would also like to thank Paul and Patricia Schmidt and Thomas and Stephanie Schmidt for their help and support. Calling hours will be Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Kowalczyk Funeral Home, 284 Main Street, N.Y. Mills. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Burrstone Road. Burial with military honors will take place in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In Joe's memory, please consider a donation to the NY Mills Optimist Club. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or PO Box 241 NY Mills, NY 13417. Light a Candle at: www.kowalczyk funeralhomes.com
Joseph Schmidt