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Archives Funeral held May 19 for Deacon William G. Schmidt


May 25, 2016

WATERTOWN  - Bishop Terry R. LaValley presided at a Mass of Christian Burial for Deacon William G. Schmidt, Schmidt93, May 19 at St. Patrick’s Church.

Msgr. Robert H. Aucoin, pastor of St. Patrick's Church, concelebrated with priests of the diocese and fellow deacons assisting. Father Arthur J. LaBaff, former pastor at St. patrick’s served as the homilist.

Deacon Schmidt died May 15 at Samaritan Keep Home where he had resided since April. Burial was in Glenwood Cemetery.

Deacon Schmidt was born in Utica May 16, 1922, son of James H. and Eleanor Clark Schmidt. On Oct. 9, 1942, he entered the US Army. He served in Ardennes, Central Europe, Normandy, Northern and Southern France, Rhineland and Rome-Arno. He received the European-African-Middle Eastern Service and the Good Conduct Medals. He was honorably discharged  Sept. 29, 1945.

After his service, he began college and received his B. S. in physical therapy from Ithaca College on June 4, 1949 and a master's degree in education from Syracuse University.

In 1949 he married Sara Vivian Phelps at Holy Family Church in Fulton. In 1952 the couple moved to Watertown where Deacon Schmidt became the first licensed physical therapist in the city. He became Chief of Physical Therapy at Mercy Hospital and also maintained a private practice in physical therapy. He enjoyed gardening and caring for his land and camping.

In 1985 he was ordained a permanent deacon by the Diocese of Ogdensburg and had served as president of the St. Lawrence Society, the Ogdensburg Diocese's organization for Deacons. He was a communicant and deacon at St. Patrick's Church.

In his ministry Deacon Schmidt enjoyed serving his church and diaconate by visiting the sick and homebound and was very devoted to his ministry.

In addition to his wife, S. Vivian, he is survived by his seven children, John and Sheila Schmidt, Cheverly, MD; Mary and Francis Navarra, Watertown; Therese Schmidt, Brooklyn; Mark and Denise Schmidt, Syracuse; Robert Schmidt, Hudson Falls; Margaret and James Sullivan, Baldwinsville; and Thomas and Vanessa Schmidt, Manhasset, Long Island; twenty-one grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; sister, Dorothy O'Toole, Utica; brother-in-law, Bruce B. Phelps; several nieces and nephews including James Wiley Schmidt and companion, Manny Gonzalez, Deborah and William Marscher, Linda and Peter Russell and Carol Hoyt. 

Deacon Schmidt was predeceased by his grandson, Andrew Schmidt, his brother and his wife, James and Margaret Schmidt and brother-in-law, Howard O'Toole.

Donations may be made to either St. Patrick's Church, 123 S. Massey St., Watertown, NY 13601 or to a charity of your choice.

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