Obituary of George P. Schmitt

George Pershing Schmitt5/10/1918 - 3/25/2008of Vestal George P. Schmitt passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 25, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and George Schmitt, and most recently by his best friend and wife of 55 years, Frances. George is survived by all of their nine children, Evelyn, Carole, Bill, David, Peter, Tom, Paul, Andrew and James and their spouses. He also had 19 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren (and one on the way...). George is survived by his little sister, Joan and her husband, Norman Jacobs; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Alice and Ed Tunnicliffe; many nieces and nephews, all of the gang at Chautauqua, and his golfing buddies. George and Fran were members of Grace Lutheran Church of Vestal, having been founding members of Hope Lutheran Church in Levittown, Pa. George was a Research Chemist, having completed all of his graduate work for his Doctorate. He was retired from IBM and was a past president of the Society of Plastic Engineers. In his work he was awarded many patents and contributed to many scientific publications. After retirement, George perfected his golf, even shooting his age of 78 at Catatonk Golf Club! He also began his life as an artist covering their walls with his paintings. He loved to fill the house with very loud classical music, was always quick to tell a story or joke and he loved an audience. A great dad and grandpa but what George did best was to love his "Francy", lavishing her with his poetry and affection. The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 28th, followed by a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Main St., Vestal. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Frances Schmitt Scholarship for Swimmers and Divers, c/o Dollars for Scholars, PO Box 959, Vestal, N.Y. 13851. The family would like to thank the Homemakers of Broome County for all of their care giving to George, Frances, and us kids. We also want to thank the Vestal Emergency Squad. Arrangements are by the Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, Vestal. "Look not sorrowfully into the past, It comes back again, Wisely improve the present, it is thine. Go forth and meet the shadowy future, Without fear, and with a manly heart."