| Michael R. Schmidt
January 17, 1943 - June 18, 2008
 Michael R. Schmidt, of Washington, NJ, passed peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family, wife, children, and friends.
Personal: Michael served in the Navy from 1960 to 1964 and served in the Bay of Pigs Invasion and Cuban Missile Blockade during the Vietnam era. He retired from Ingersoll Rand Turbo Division and is most noted for his background in Real Estate, having formed Schmidt Realtors more than 25 years ago. Recently he retired from his current position of tax assessor for Allamuchy Township, Pohatcong Township, Independence Township, Oxford Township, and Washington Township. In the early 1980’s he also owned the Montgomery Wards store in Washington Borough. Professionally he was a licensed real estate broker, a licensed general real estate appraiser, and certified tax assessor within the state of New Jersey. He served as past president of “The Northwest Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers”, president of the Warren County Assessors Association and held various offices within the Warren County Board of Realtors. He was formerly an instructor in “Principles of Real Estate Appraising” and worked as an expert in real estate valuation before various courts and boards throughout the state. Socially, he enjoyed gardening, music, dancing, and showing off his 1960 red Chevy Impala at local cruise nights. He served as past president of the Western Nights Dance Club. He is most noted for helping others when in need and maintaining flowers and plants that lined Belvidere Avenue. He received a beautification award from the Warren County Cultural Society for the flowers. Pray for his soul.
Memberships: Being community minded, Michael served as the vice president of “The Washington Borough Business District”. He was formerly a member of the Warren County Housing Committee, the Warren County Economic Development Committee and past president of Community Prevention Resources. He was also a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he was a former member of the Couples Club.
Survivors: Michael is survived by his soul mate and wife, Lydia, who lovingly cared for him until his passing; a son, David of Washington; a daughter, Gwenn Smith; a son-in-law, Thomas Smith; his parents, Herman and Audrey of Watsonville, Ca formally of Washington; a sister, Georgia Edwards of Corpus Christi, Texas; a sister, Nikki Hann of Bucks County, Pa, and three granddaughters, Nicole, Jenna, and Brynn Smith.
Services: Visitation will be held Tuesday from 12 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. American Legion services will be held at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Wednesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. at the church, 200 Carlton Ave., Washington with Fr. Anthony Sirianni officiating. Burial will be in Washington Cemetery. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Warren Hills Memorial Home.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Drive, Newton, NJ 07860 or to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, attention: Vincent Ludd, 1331 E. Wyoming Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Lydia, Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. Sincerely, Tim Wynkoop
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To Michael Schmidt’s loving family, Michael, what is there to say that so many others have said about you before? A man of such class, a step-up man, the guy who stepped up when others would walk away. I met Mike in Ingersoll-Rand many years ago and to some degree, stayed in contact with him over the years. Our relation ship wasn’t one of my best friend but just the same, my respect was even more so. Not to many people knew of his connection with our area Veterans. I kind of think it was because of his own service to his Country but more so because of the death of his friend, Cpl. Edward Joseph Ruvolis during the Vietnam War. Mike was also responsible for some of the research for the Warren County Veterans Memorial. Stepping up again. When I was putting together a memorial in Pohatcong Township for those from the Township that gave their lives in the Vietnam War and I couldn’t get the help from the governing body that I needed, Mike stepped up with his own time and money to help with the project. I will miss you Mike and those funny little e-mails you were always sending me. I like to think I am a better person for having known you. Rest in peace my Brother; You Will Be Missed By All Who Knew You. Ron Titus Phillipsburg, N.J.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Please accept my deepest sympathy. Mike was one of the kindest men I've ever met. I'm a collector and to be able to say that about an assessor is remarkable. He spent hours explaining his job to me and helping me to understand how his decisions impacted my job. I will be forever grateful. He will be missed. Carolyn Gara Bloomsbury, NJ
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My deepest sympathy to Lydia, his family and his many, many friends.
So sad that Mikes life had to end like it did but damn, he was a fighter. We had many laughs at breakfast times and who was going to get the newspaper first. Mike was always a fancy dresser, unless you saw him gardening, which I did, when he invited me to his house to see his gardens. Then he lost so much weight but still dressed up in a fashion where I couldn't help but call him a 'pimp'. It didn't matter how he dressed, he was still that fun loving, helpful and happy guy. We became cyber buds and he'd always have some kind of funny e mail to send me every night. He will be sadly missed. My thoughts and prays will be with the Schmidt family. Thank you Mike for your smiles and
support in the rooms we know soooo well. Roganne LaPenna flowers4u@rcn.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mike - My thoughts and prayers are with you and all who were close to you. You were a true friend and mentor. I'll miss you Mike. Mike DeMonti
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------With our sincere condolences Henry & Johann Barends
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dear Lydia, Gwen and family, David, and Mike's extended family, If we were not living 9 hours away now, we would certainly be in attendance at the services. Mike was a kind, gentle man and we have fond memories of his visits to our home when we lived in the Pocono’s. Our older children, Randy and Christine visited him often when they were younger. Our condolences to the entire family on his loss. Randall and Jill McDonald and family
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dear Lydia, Well, I know now that he is in a much better place, no more suffering, no more pain. I am so glad that I saw him before he passed. As always you can give me a call if you need to talk. It is going to be some adjustments to be made, but little by little, you will manage. Love Sigrid
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------May god bless you and your family. I know Mike has already been blessed. I will keep you, your family and Mike in my prayers. John Foerst
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------You will be sadly missed, Sincerely MaryLee a freind of Bill W.
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To Lydia and Family, So sorry to hear of Mike's passing. He was a wonderful person as everyone who knew him liked him instantly. I enjoyed being at dances with both of you. I enjoyed our emails back and forth with Mike..we shared alot of our problems with each other. I prayed for him as many others did. I knew when I didn't get an email from him for some time, it was not good...but, he is with God now, as is my son.... My thoughts and prayers are with you and his family.
Janet Jones
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dear Lydia, Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time. I know there is nothing that I can say or do right now to ease the pain you are feeling. However, just know that there are others here should you need a shoulder or an ear. Remember all the good times and keep those memories close to your heart as they will get you through this difficult time. Should you need that shoulder or that ear to listen please call anytime. My condolences, Joan Chiu
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Je souhaite à Michael R. Schmidt une éternité de bonheur au paradis. jean victor vernhes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I want to extend my condolences and sympathy to the Schmidt family, and to Mike's friends. Mike is now free from all pains. He is in sheer bliss in Heaven, so we should rejoice for that. I think that from where he is, Mighty Mike will always help us all. He told me one day that even if there were no one to give you a name, you would still be called 'a child of God'. I hope that when it is my time to go, he will spot me and welcome me. "So, for ever your friend, Mike, until I see you again, with my gratitude and in your honor, I shall sign:
'A Child of God'
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------My dear, dear cousin. Since the day I was born, you were there. Always the older cousin (by about7 years), you were always someone to look up to and admire. And weren't you so handsome in your Navy uniform.!! I have so many memories. Christmas & Thanksgiving Celebrations were always so much fun & memories to be cherished forever. There were also the Camping trips to the Poconos playing poker at night by the camp lantern, swatting away the bugs. And David just reminded me about the chipmunks. So,yes, Camping in the Poconos, was tons of fun. Also the time, You & Lydia made the trip to us upstate for your Godson's First Holy Communion. So what if you were a day late! Ha ha. It made for a better time, one on one fun, as opposed to a crowd. It was also great when you came up for my children's graduation party . (And for that one, you got there on the right day!)And then the visits were less frequent, due to the way we all live our lives now, often distances apart, etc. But we did e-mail often & I felt special when our e-mails sometimes got a bit more personal and philosophical. We shared a lot. You always had a smile and you always smelled so good! I know I commented on that when I saw you about three months ago, when I made the trip to see you. We hugged & I said, "You still smell good!" You were kind and generous and full of life, even up until the very end. It was my privilege, honor and pleasure to have you as a big cousin. My heart goes out to all the family, friends, and loved ones, as you will surely be missed by all Love Forever, and Until we meet again, Your cousin, Judy
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