Emil J. Schmidt

Emil J. Schmidt MELROSE – Major Emil J. Schmidt (retired), 97, of Melrose-Valley Falls Road, died Saturday evening, Oct. 5th, at his residence, in the care of his loving wife of 73 years, Mary Molesky Schmidt, and family. Son of the late Joseph and Louise Kippel Schmidt, Emil was born in Philadelphia, PA. on September 12, 1916 and grew up in Troy. He was a 1937 graduate of Troy High School, where he was honored in 2007 for his outstanding career in cross country by being elected to the Edward C. Picken Troy High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Emil joined the US Army in 1938, earned the right to be assigned to Officers Candidate School, and eventually attained the rank of Major. He served with Patton's Third Army as an intelligence officer in the Signal Corps during the Allies' push through France into Germany. Highly decorated, Emil received a Bronze Star and the French Croix De Guerre for his distinguished service in the Battle of the Bulge and other major battles in Europe. After WWII, he joined the Army Reserves and was called back to active duty and immediately deployed to Korea because of the urgent need for his signal intelligence skills in the Korean War. For valor during his Army service, including 9 ½ years of active duty and 5 years of reserve duty, Emil was awarded 4 battle stars for WWII and 3 battle stars for Korea. In civilian life, Emil worked for 33 years for the New York Telephone Co. as a lineman and then a supervisor in the engineering department until his retirement in 1980. Longtime residents of Melrose, Emil and family enjoyed their cottage on Babcock Lake for 57 years. He was active in the leadership of the Babcock Lake Property Owners' Association and was among the initial members of the Babcock Lake Estates. Vegetable and flower gardening, spending time with family and friends, and travel were additional sources of enjoyment. Emil and his wife traveled extensively, visiting Europe many times, Africa, the Middle East and Central America. A patriotic and hard working veteran, Emil was a life member of The Battle of the Bulge, the American Legion of Schaghticoke, the VFW of Valley Falls and the DAV of Troy. Proud of his Swiss heritage, he was a member of the Hudson-Mohawk Swiss Society and a faithful member of the former St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, now Transfiguration Parish, of Schaghticoke. Emil and his beloved wife, Mary Molesky Schmidt, married on December 28, 1940, had a long, happy, loving and adventurous marriage. Surviving in addition to his wife are his brother David Schmidt of Melrose, daughter Elizabeth Spano of Hemstreet Park and son Daniel (Cheryl Gowie) Schmidt of Buskirk, grandchildren Lisa (Tom) Parry of Schaghticoke, Margaret (Greg) Branner of Missouri, Amy (Shawn) McLaughlin of Melrose, A.J. (Kyle) Schmidt of Schaghticoke and Bro. Nicholas Spano, OFM Conv of Syracuse, great-grandchildren Alexis, Renee, Evelyn, Julia, Josephine, Isabella and Emil James, nephew Nelson (Pam) Schmidt and family, and Louann (Al) Kimble. Emil was predeceased by his son Emil D. Schmidt, brother Leo Schmidt, son-in-law Sam Spano and an infant granddaughter. The family expresses great appreciation and special thanks to caregivers Cynthia Cooper, Sandy Koch, Kim and Laura Holloway, and Lynne Griswald; to wonderful neighbors, Steve and Tracy Rooney and family; to the Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, especially to Lisa Sprague; to the Veterans' Administration; to Father George Fleming and Pat Hebert of Transfiguration Parish and to Dr. A. M. Jandali who provided medical care for may years. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 11th at 11 AM at Transfiguration Parish (North), 17 South Main St., Schaghticoke followed by burial in St. John's Cemetery. Calling hours at Transfiguration Parish (North) are Thursday from 4-7 PM, with a wake prayer service at 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances please be made to Transfiguration Parish (North), 17 South Main Street, Schagticoke, NY 12154 in memory of Emil J. Schmidt. Visit Devito-Salvadore Funeral Home's web site (www.devito-salvadorefh.com) to leave condolences and for directions.