Nicholas Schmidt

Devoted Father And “Pappy” To Many

Nicholas “Pappy” Schmidt, 100, died peacefully at home in Newtown, surrounded by family, April 28, following a brief illness. Mr Schmidt was born November 8, 1909, the son of Francisca and Fabian Schmidt, and raised in his birthplace of Engelsbrunn, Romania.

He leaves his son Ron and his wife, Dorothy, of Newtown, and their children Katie, Ryan, and Reid, with whom he shared a home for many years; his daughter Theresa and her husband, Al, of Saratoga, N.Y.; his son Nicholas of Roxbury; his daughter-in-law, Sue of Southbury; four more grandchildren, all of whom he was particularly proud; and many nieces, nephews, and close family friends.

In his early years, he apprenticed as a butcher in Arad, Romania. After finishing his early training, he traveled to Montreal to join relatives, married Annie Weiss in 1938, and eventually settled in the Bronx, N.Y., with her.

In the early 1950s, Mr Schmidt purchased a German butcher shop in Irvington, N.J., which he built into a very successful business. After his wife passed on in 1974, he continued to devote most of his life to his children and grandchildren.

Almost everyone who knew Mr Schmidt called him “Pappy” because of his grandfatherly qualities and his particular warmth and charm when with his grandchildren and their friends. Children were so drawn to him because he always encouraged them to be themselves and celebrated their imaginations. He was a haven from a world filled with rules and restrictions, and was truly encouraging of their creative spirit. Whether it was playing his accordion for Katie to dance to, allowing Reid to hold him captive under the stairs, watching Ryan’s favorite movie videos dozens of times, riding down the stairs with Nicky and DeAnna on his back, wrestling with Mike “The General,” or allowing Denise to “work”’ in the butcher shop as a 5-year-old, Pappy was willing to do anything with them and for them. He was a truly dedicated grandfather who inspired his grandchildren to thrive and succeed by offering a hand, a hug, a smile, or his lap whenever they needed or wanted him to. He truly touched all of their lives in a unique and profound way and each grandchild is enormously thankful to have had a grandfather as compassionate, fun, and adoring as him.’

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Cambridge, N.Y. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the many family and friends that have sent food, flowers, and condolences.

 In lieu of flowers or memorial donations, the family requests that you simply hug your children, grandchildren, spouse, or close friends, as that is what Pappy would have wanted.

The Newtown Bee        May 7, 2010