Joseph John Schmitt

July 20, 1941 – June 27, 2014

Lived 72 years

St. Joseph's Cemetery · Dolgeville, New York

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Life story

Joseph J. Schmitt Jr., 72, of Oppenheim, NY, passed away on Friday evening, June 27, 2014, at his home with the love and comfort of his family by his side.

He was born on July 20, 1941, in Rockaway Beach, Queens, NY, a son of the late Joseph and Alice (Tucker) Schmitt. He attended Newtown High School and graduated with the Class of 1959. Joseph enlisted in the United States Air Force on October 1, 1962. He was stationed at Warren Air Force Base and was a liquid fuel system maintenance technician. He had the privilege of working on the rocket known as the Atlas ICBM, the first one the country ever had. Joseph was honorably discharged on April 28, 1964.

Joseph was united in marriage to Phyllis Berni on July 20, 1970, on Long Island. The couple would have shared a blessed union of 44 years this summer. They raised five children together.

He was formerly employed by Queens Surface in public transportation. He began his career as a bus driver and later became an Inspector /19-A Road Instructor, retiring in June of 2001 after 37 years of service.

Joseph was of the Catholic faith. He was a member of the St. Johnsville American Legion, and served for many years as the president for the Oppenheim Historical Society. Joseph was greatly fond of music, having played in his band, The Al Paris Trio. He was an excellent musician who loved to sing and play the guitar. He enjoyed anything mechanical from cars to motorcycles, loved doing woodwork and was very interested in politics.

Joseph was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather to his family and will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Phyllis at home; his loving children, Jo-Anne Bandes and her husband, Bruce of Florida, Camille Carnevale and her husband, Joseph of Gainesville, GA, Alexander Schmitt of Bethel, NY, Anne Cooper and her husband, Jason of Canajoharie, NY.; his granddaughter, Kristie Carnevale and her fiance Martin Hynson; grandson, Frank Carnevale; granddaughters, Alice and Reagan Cooper; great-granddaughter, Brianna Hynson; great-grandson, Jesse Hynson; a nephew; five other grandchildren; and six other great-grandchildren.

Joseph was predeceased by his beloved son, Joseph Schmitt in 2005; a brother, Harry Schmitt in 1974; and a sister, Catherine Marchuk in 1983.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, July 1, 2014, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, New York. A Mass of Catholic burial will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 31 North Helmer Ave., Dolgeville, New York, celebrated by Father Qui Vo. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dolgeville, NY.

The family would like to thank Mountain Valley Hospice of Gloversville, NY; their close friends, Shirley and Hector Allen, and the Szymanski Family, both of Oppenheim; for their kind and compassionate care shown to Joseph and their family during his illness.

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