James Joseph Schmidt

James Joseph Schmidt “Jim” passed away at home on the morning of July 5th, 2021.

He was born at home in Farmingdale, NY on June 17, 1939,
to parents Charles & Catherine Schmidt.
Jim grew up with his older brother Charles “Mickey”,
playing baseball in the side yard with the neighbors and picking up a trombone.
His high school career under the direction of Marshall Brown
included performing on the Today Show, at the Newport Jazz Festival
and at the World’s Fair in Brussels, Belgium.

Jim continued his music education by attending and
graduating from the Manhattan School of Music.
Over the next 10 years he played in and recorded with
the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Warren Covington, Buddy Morrow,
Sal Salvador & the Tommy Dorsey band.
Jim also spent two years in the Army Band
playing troop graduations, sendoffs & returns.
His professional life as a trombonist eventually led him
to Las Vegas where he performed at the Tropicana hotel in 1968.

Carrying on in the Schmidt family tradition he went into the hardware business.
While working at Corbs Home Center, he met Andrea “Andi”, married, and started a family.
He spent the next 20 years working in various retail management positions.

Jim, a quiet, yet clever man, always had a quick-witted response to make you laugh.
His lifelong interests included sports, traveling, and watching old war movies.
He spent his retirement reading, doing crossword puzzles, and listening to jazz music.
He loved dogs, Snoopy, his nightly ice cream and being G-Paw to Kiana, Trevor & Mallory.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Andi of forty years;
son Joseph married to Larissa as well as three beautiful grandchildren.

At his request, no public service will be held.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the American Cancer Society.