Obituary of Michael R. Schmidt

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.