Glenn I. Schoonmaker

Glenn I. Schoonmaker, 88, of Montgomery, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2025.

A lifelong resident of the area, Glenn was born to Roland and Madolyn (Crapser) Schoonmaker on August 20, 1937, in Middletown, New York. He grew up in Montgomery and graduated from Walden High School in 1954. Some years later, he earned his Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice from Orange County Community College.

Glenn married his high school sweetheart, Linda Goldsmith, in 1958. Together they had three daughters: Barbara Lynn, Helen Edith (who was stillborn), and Karen Leslie. Glenn and Linda celebrated 66 happy years of marriage in August 2024.

Glenn retired in 1993 as Chief of the Town of Montgomery Police Department, following more than 20 years of service. During his career, he implemented the first DARE program at Valley Central High School, helped organize the Chester Police Academy, and achieved many other professional accomplishments. Prior to fulfilling his dream of becoming a police officer, Glenn held a wide variety of jobs. He enjoyed working with his hands and could fix just about anything, as demonstrated by his work on the New York State Thruway, as owner of Schoonmaker Trucking, and as maintenance supervisor at Orange County Airport. After retirement, he continued to enjoy operating snow-removal "big rigs," clearing the runways at Stewart Airport-"boys and their toys," as the family liked to say.

In retirement, Glenn and Linda enjoyed spending their winters in North Palm Beach, Florida, and traveling throughout the United States and internationally, often accompanied by their grandchildren. Glenn loved tending his garden, listening to country music, and riding his motorcycle. Time spent at their cottage at Pleasure Lake in the Catskills, along with many family activities, kept them happily busy over the years.

A loving and patient husband and father, Glenn was deeply dedicated to God, his family, and his community. He served as an Elder of Goodwill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, and shared his wonderful voice with congregations through church choirs there and during winter months at First Presbyterian Church of North Palm Beach. A longtime member of the Masonic Brotherhood, Glenn received his 55-year apron in 2025.

Glenn was preceded in death by his beloved wife Linda, his parents Roland and Madolyn Schoonmaker, and his brothers Gerald and Paul Schoonmaker.

He is survived by his daughters Barbara Sutton (Guy) of Pennsylvania and Karen Stark (Scott) of Tennessee; his grandchildren Michelle Cooney (Todd, and great-grandson Max) of New Jersey, James Sambets (Michelle Collins, and great-grandson Xavier) of Tennessee, and Allen Stark of Tennessee; as well as many loving in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Friends and family may visit on Friday, January 2 from 5-8 p.m. at Millspaugh Funeral Home, 22 Bank St, Walden, NY. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 3 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 137 Clinton St, Montgomery, NY.

It was Glenn's wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to First Presbyterian Church of Montgomery, NY.