Obituary of David Henry Schmidt, Jr.

South Hadley, MA -David Henry Schmidt, Jr., passed away on September 6, 2022. He was born on June 3, 1926 in Michigan City, Indiana to David H. and Myrle E. Schmidt. He was raised in Michigan City, Indiana and attended Michigan Public Schools.

Dave, as he was known by all, proudly served his country in the US Navy during WWII on the USS Memphis and the USS Quincy and was present at D-Day in Normandy and the surrender of Japan in Tokyo Bay, as well as escorting President Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference.

When the war was over, he stayed in Massachusetts and attended Hawley Mullane Engineering School and Peterson’s Engineering School, earning a Stationary Engineer Certificate as well as a Power Plant Engineer and Management Certificate. While living in South Boston, he worked for Salada Tea Company, St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Ford Motor Co., J.O. Whitten Co., Squire Meat Packaging and Findley Manufacturing Co.

After marrying and starting a family, he moved to Melrose and used skills he developed as a sailmaker in the Navy at Atlantic Awning Company, which he eventually owned and operated in Melrose from 1959-1982 and Port Charlotte, Florida from 1982-1991, when he retired.

Throughout most of his life, he was very active in local politics, civic organizations, and faith communities and served on the Board of Registrars, Board of Assessors, Board of Alderman and as City Clerk in Melrose. He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club and a Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow. When he moved to Port Charlotte he served as a Charlotte County Commissioner.

In 2018, Dave moved to South Hadley, MA to be closer to his children.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his son, David H. Schmidt III, his sister, Myrle E. Wright, three wives, Marion (Dawson), Joan (McGuire), and Kathleen (Brady) and his dear friend, Ed Campagne.   He is survived by two daughters, Myrle Porter and husband William, III of Granby, MA and Elena Schmidt and husband Don Ogier of Portland, ME, and stepson John Schmidt. He also leaves six grandchildren, Karl, Christian, Catherine, William IV, Jonathan, Elisabeth, and eight great grandchildren, Noah, Lydia, Liam, Grace, Hope, Madeline, David and Jacob. Three nieces and a nephew also survive him.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at a later date at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, MA.