Edward Schmidgall, Jr.

Edward Frederick Schmidgall , Jr ., A Life of Service

Respectfully known for his years of commitment to Wakefield community service, Ed passed away unexpectedly at the age of 91 on December 17, 2011. His warm and sincere presence touched and embellished the lives of all who knew him. He was a living memorial to the greatest generation, proud of his country, devoted to his family and his community. Throughout his years in Wakefield, Ed nurtured the lives of future generations, helped those in need, and spread kindness and joy through all his endeavors.

Edward Frederick Schmidgall , Jr . was born on December 26, 1919 in Brooklyn, New York, to Edward Frederick Schmidgall and Amelia Knieriem Schmidgall . His younger sister Jean was born seven years later. He went to Brooklyn Public School 92 through the eighth grade, and while he was in elementary school he attended Sunday School at the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush, where they had a Boy Scout Troop. Since Ed was not old enough to become a Scout, under a new program of Scouting for younger boys, he became the 19th boy in the United States to become a member of the newly formed Cub Scouts of America. This was the foundation for his future role in Scouting. At the age of 12 he became a member of Troop #43 of the Boy Scouts of America. As a young boy he frequently traveled out of the city to Gordon Lakes in northern New Jersey where his family had a lakeside log cabin. It was here that he developed an appreciation and fondness for nature and outdoor activities. He loved skating, sailing, and using his hands to split wood, work the land, and build stone walls.

Upon graduation from public school, Ed went to Brooklyn Technical High School. It was during this time that he began courting his future bride, Irene Cecelia Holtan, who he knew through the Sunday School program. While attending high school, Ed played center on the ice hockey team and his expertise at this position brought the attention of the New York Athletic Club. They offered him a future on their team, but Ed refused, thinking ahead to his education and a career in Electrical Engineering.

After high school, Ed went to work briefly at the Bankers Trust Company on Wall Street in downtown Manhattan, earning $10 a week as an inside messenger. He decided to further his education by attending night classes at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, pursuing a career in Electrical Engineering. He did this for three years (1938-1941) and then became employed by the A.E. Johnson Company, consulting engineers who were working on the Westinghouse Exhibit at the 1939 World's Fair.

Through his sister-in-law Helen Holtan Stark, a chemist, he became employed by the General Electric Vapor Lamp Co. in Hoboken, New Jersey, where he was employed until entering the military service on February 14, 1942. He was stationed at Camp Cooke, California, which is now the Vandenberg Air Force Base, and trained with the armored division (tanks) under General George Patton. He went to officers' candidate school at Fort Monmouth and received his gold bars as a Second Lieutenant. Ed served in the Pacific theater and finished his active duty after the invasion of Okinawa. He was discharged from active duty during 1946, at which time he remained in the active reserves. He was called into service again during the Korean War, but due to his three children, his overseas commitment was waived and he remained stateside, training troops in the US for battle overseas. He ultimately received the rank of Captain for his years of service to the US military.

On February 21, 1943, Ed married his long-time sweetheart Irene Holtan at the Reformed Dutch Church of Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York. They moved to California where Ed was based, and Irene continued her nursing career at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles. Their first child Susan Jean was born during this time. When Ed was sent overseas to Okinawa in 1945 with the Signal Corps, Irene returned to the east coast to live with her family in Brooklyn. After the war, they spent several more years in Brooklyn where their other three children were born.

Upon discharge from military service, Ed continued employment with General Electric in New Jersey. Then in 1959 he was offered a transfer and had the choice of Memphis, Cleveland, or East Boston. He was excited at the opportunity to move to New England and the family settled in Wakefield, MA that year. In 1962, GE closed its East Boston plant and instead of leaving Wakefield, Ed resigned from GE and secured a position with Champion Lamp Works in Lynn, MA. From 1962 to his retirement, he remained at the Lynn lighting plant and worked for ITT and then Phillips International Lighting. He retired as Plant Manager in 1985.

In Wakefield, Ed and his wife Irene quickly became pillars of the community. Having been a Scout in his youth, in 1960 Ed became Scoutmaster to Troop 701, in which capacity he faithfully served for 17 years, remaining an active counselor even after this time. Troop 701 was known for its progressive activities, which included winter camping, backpacking, trekking, and mountain climbing expeditions. They were the first troop in the US to backpack 50 miles above 5000 feet at one time (in the White Mountains). The time spent during his youth at Gordon Lakes influenced his involvement in the Scouts and his passion for nature and adventure. This set Troop 701 apart from other troops that didn't take on scouting like he did. He was responsible for a significant number of Eagle Scouts and mentored many successful kids. He received the Silver Beaver Award from the national Scout Association for his years of service, a very prestigious award in the scouting world, with very

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few given out.

Ed's genuine understanding of young men endeared him to the many Scouts that were nurtured by his leadership. His 50-year membership at the First Parish Congregational Church in Wakefield brought further responsibilities, and he served on many committees in the life of the church, becoming a church Elder and Life Deacon. The parish's current Youth Room is dedicated in his and Irene's names.

Through the church, Ed and Irene also served for years as monthly volunteers cooking for and serving the residents of Rosie's Place, the first women's shelter in the country, located in Boston. Unusual for his age and gender, Ed was a staunch advocate for single moms and many local young women were the beneficiaries of his pragmatism and compassion. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Y.M.C.A. and on the Advisory Board of the Boit Home for the elderly. He was a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship Award from Rotary International, the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce 2007 Honor Award for years of outstanding service to the community, and along with Irene was a Grand Marshall at the Wakefield 4th of July Parade.

Most notably, Ed gave endless hours to the Salvation Army service unit in Wakefield. His steadfast teaching commitment with the General Education Division (GED) of the Adult Rehabilitation Center for Alcohol and Drugs in Saugus enabled many men to go on to a more productive life. His GED tutoring every Tuesday night for many years helped countless men, assisting in study for their GED exams and offering the fatherly support many of them no doubt lacked.

Ed was always willing to serve and give of himself to make his community a better place to live. As quoted in an article written about the Schmidgalls in the Salvation Army's Priority! Magazine, Ed said, "We feel we have to give back something…we receive the ability to help, and we are grateful to be able to do what we can in this little town. That's our motto, our creed."

Quiet leadership came naturally to Ed and was his pattern for life. He provided uncompromised honesty and sound advice to all who sought him out. He was devoted to promoting the welfare of the people around him, no matter what their situation. He did not judge, but rather gave his strength and unwavering optimism. He will be missed, but those who knew him agree that he lived a full life, leaving behind a legacy of love and compassion. He will be remembered for his dedication to his family and his community, for his intense interest in the people around him and the world at large, for his light-hearted whistle and ever-present smile.

Ed leaves behind his adoring wife Irene; daughter Susan and son-in-law James Sebold of Concord, NH; son Rick and daughter-in-law Anne of Clearwater, FL; son John (Jack) Schmidgall and daughter-in-law Kathleen of Byfield, MA; and son-in-law Richard Harmon of Falmouth, MA. His second daughter Abby passed away in 2007 from ALS. He also leaves eight grandchildren and ten (soon to be twelve) great grandchildren, his sister Jean in California, and many more loving relatives around the country.

Per his wishes, Ed was interned at the Memorial Garden adjacent to the First Parish Congregational Church in Wakefield. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Ed's name to any of the following:

The Citizens Scholarship Fund of Wakefield
c/o Ed and Irene Schmidgall Scholarship Fund
PO Box 321
Wakefield, MA 01880

The Salvation Army Wakefield Service Unit
c/o Trudy Delory
368 Vernon Street
Wakefield, MA 01880

Remembrance Fund
First Parish Congregational Church
1 Church Street
PO Box M
Wakefield, MA 01880

Read Edward Schmidgall , Jr .'s Obituary and Guestbook on www.mcdonaldfs.com.

Service

First Parish Congregational Church
1 Church Street
Wakefield , MA US 01880
Saturday, January 28, 2012, 11:00 AM

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