DONALD F. SCHMIDT

1935 - 2026

SCHMIDT, Donald F. It is with great sadness to share the passing of Donald Francis Schmidt, a long-time resident of Natick, MA, on January 10, 2026. He was loved by his family and friends and will be truly missed. Don was predeceased by his loving and devoted wife, Evelyn (Olson); his parents, Francis Schmidt and Mary (Getz); and brother, John. Don was born in Roxbury, MA, on September 3, 1935. As a youth, Don spent a good deal of time at Fenway Park watching the Boston Red Sox. While trying to get autographs of players walking to Fenway, Don was lucky enough to be handed tickets to the 1946 All Star game at Fenway Park, and even luckier to sit behind home plate. Baseball was always his number one sport, but he would never shy away from watching and cheering on all the Boston teams. After graduating from Commerce High School Boston, in 1953, Don enlisted in the Air Force and served during the Korean War and was later stationed in Japan, where he worked as a medic. Following his military years, Don returned to Boston to study Pharmacy at New England College of Pharmacy. He was a mentor to many throughout his career, especially at Leonard Morse Hospital, where he was the assistant director of pharmacy for 25 plus years. In 1960, Don and Evelyn made their home in Natick, MA. Spending the 60s and 70s coaching Natick Little League and Babe Ruth baseball. He was known in the neighborhood to get the kids together to play a round of baseball at a town field. Notorious for being a "book of knowledge," a quick wit, a mesmerizing storyteller, Don always had a way to connect with everyone he met. He was famous for learning languages and always loved to speak to anyone in their native tongue. Don's love of music ranged from 40s Big Bands, Doo-wop and all Rock and Roll. He was lucky enough to have seen many concerts, including The Doors and The Ramones and the sharing of music was one of his greatest passions. Don is also survived by his son, Donald Jr. (Leslee) of Wilmington, NC; his son, Eric of Natick; his daughter, Heidi Dischinger (Dan); and their children, Alison and Madelyn of Natick; and his daughter, Lori Fitzgerald (Jim), whom he lived with on Cape Cod for many years; along with their children, Taylor Steuer (Daniel), Jimmy (Brittany) and Lia. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Henry and Lucas Steuer. He was a loyal and caring friend to John Paladino of Weston and Darrell Lemarbre of Hopkinton. He is also survived by his brother, William; and his two nieces and a nephew. Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Don's life by gathering for a time of Visitation in Norton, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home, 53 Beech Street, FRAMINGHAM, on Saturday, February 14, from 10-11AM. Services will begin at 11 o'clock. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the DAV (Disabled American Veterans), Chapter 82, P.O. Box 229 Marlborough, MA 01752. To share a memory with the Schmidt Family, kindly visit www.nortonfuneralhome.com

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