Bernard A. "Bernie" Schmidt

Bernard A. “Bernie” Schmidt passed away on October 17, 2018. Born in Amsterdam, NY at St. Mary’s Hospital on May 4, 1929 to Rudolph and Sarah Lillian Schmidt. He was given the nickname of Tony as a child in honor of his grandfather, Anthony Dolan.

Bernie graduated from Wilbur H. Lynch High School and was in the third graduating class at Le Moyne College in 1953 where he earned his BSS in accounting. He attended his 65th class reunion from Le Moyne in June 2018. Bernie’s career was with Haylor, Freyer and Coon Insurance Co. as CFO and Senior Vice President until he retired. His second career was with his son, Dan, at Hills, Farnham and Hills Insurance Co. and Baker Real Estate as Dan’s financial expert until just recently.

Bernie had a great love of music, a gift he inherited from his father, a wonderful musician himself, where family time was spent singing and playing several different instruments, a dance band, and the Auriesville Shrine Choir. During his time at Le Moyne, Bernie was the director of the Dolphineers, an all-male choral group that became the Bernie Schmidt Singers after graduation when adding female voices to the mix. For 40plus years the Singers entertained at weddings, funerals, graduations, special functions, Christmas Shows and visiting nursing homes to share their special gift. They were a mainstay on the Christmas Eve Show, “Time of Wonder, Time of Joy” with Ron Curtis on channel 5.

Bernie had many interests and was committed to many organizations. First and foremost, he was the music minister at St. Charles Church for many years, a Eucharistic minister and lector. He was the recipient of the Immaculata Award given by the Diocese of Syracuse for commitment to his church and the Diocese of Syracuse. Bernie was a volunteer at Community General Hospital and treasurer of the Auxiliary for a number of years. While living in Louisville, KY, Bernie received the designation of “Kentucky Colonel.” It is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky to individuals for noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community or state.

When Bernie’s children were young, he was instrumental in the development of the Geddes Little League Fields and the development of the programs there. His greatest joy was his family.

Bernie was predeceased by his first wife, Helen O’Hearn Schmidt; sister, Anne Tobler; and parents, Rudolph and Sarah Lillian Schmidt.

Surviving are his wife of 17 years, the former Josephine Ciszek; children, Anne (Jeffrey) Fetter of Syracuse, Maureen (William) O’Sullivan of Syracuse, Karen Schmidt of Syracuse, Daniel Schmidt of Baldwinsville, Timothy (Nancy) Schmidt of Syracuse, Vincent (Reneé) Schmidt of Manlius and Amy (Joseph) Shields of Syracuse; step-children, Michael Mitchell of Boston, MA, Susan (David) Bacher of Washington, Denise (Brian) Kava of North Carolina, Jennifer (Terence) McCumiskey of Greene, Colleen Mitchell of Virginia and Bridget (Clint) Briggs of Florida; grandchildren, Jennifer (David) Hayes, Joseph (Amanda) Fetter, Daniel (Paige) Fetter, William (Kyle) O’Sullivan, Mary Margaret Dennison, Kaitlin O’Sullivan, Sarah O’Sullivan, Timothy O’Sullivan, Jamie (Nathan) Rubadou, Maggie Schmidt, Christian, Michael and Danielle Schmidt, Helena and Tess Schmidt and Emily, Matthew, Thomas and William Shields; step-grandchildren, Kate and Jack Bacher, Connor and Abby Kava, River, Scout and Paxson McCumiskey and Olivia and Sophia Briggs; great-grandchildren, Liam, Hailey, Jacob, Benjamin, Noah, Joshua, Madison, Olivia, Hannah and Lukas; sisters, Maureen Dearstyne of Rochester, Barbara (Barry) Chase of Edinburg and Helen Sherman of Victor; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends may call Friday, October 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Charles~St. Ann's Parish, 501 S. Orchard Rd., Syracuse.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, October 20 at 10 a.m. in the church. Bernard will be laid to rest in Greenlawn Cemetery, Warners.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of CNY, 990 Seventh North St., Liverpool, NY 13088 or Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208 or Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, 385 Watervliet Shaker Rd., Latham, NY.