Obituary of Norman J. Schmitt

Norman J. Schmitt of Naples, FL, died April 10, 2024.  He was 92 years old.

He was predeceased in 2012 by his beloved wife of 55 years, Catherine G. Schmitt.  He leaves his three sons and their wives, Robert Schmitt & Margo Strawderman of Winchester, VA, Thomas Schmitt & Sheila Cole-Schmitt of Houston, TX, and Raymond & Karen Schmitt of Naples, FL; his grandchildren, Adrienne Sizemore of Loudoun, VA, Benjamin Schmitt of San Francisco, CA, Michael Schmitt of Brooklyn, NY, Caleb Schmitt of Castle Pines, CO, Neave Schneider of Denver, CO, Kelsey Schmitt of New York, NY, Emma Schmitt of Los Angeles, CA, his step-granddaughter, Jennifer McClanahan of Strasburg, VA; and his six great-grandchildren, Andrew, Kevin, Cara, Jack, Tighe and Rory.

Norman was born in New Britain, CT on June 4, 1931, the son of Severin & Irene (Crowley) Schmitt.  He held a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education from Teachers College of Connecticut, a Master’s Degree in Guidance from the Univ. of Connecticut, a 6^th Year Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Administration from the Univ. of Connecticut, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova University.  His career in public education included teaching in Ellington and Meriden, CT, Citywide Coordinator of Guidance in Meriden, CT, Director of Pupil Personnel Services in Newington, CT and concluded by serving 19 years as Assistant Superintendent of Schools, also in Newington, CT.  During his career, he also served as President of the Connecticut Association of School Personnel Administrators, Treasurer of the Connecticut Association of School Superintendents, and as a member of the founding advisory committee in the formation of the Hartford Academy of the Performing Arts.  In his post-retirement years, he directed a program for the Capitol Region Education Counsel that coordinated the recruitment of minority teachers, served on the Board of Directors and as Finance Committee Chair of a home and school for at-risk boys, also served on the Newington (CT) Plan and Zoning Commission, and was a member of the Holy Spirit Church Building and Property Committee.  He was proud of his service in the United States Army and his tour of duty in Korea (1954-55).

He and his wife Cathy loved traveling and visited all 50 states and more than 30 countries. He especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends, the Boston Red Sox and both men’s and women’s UConn basketball games.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 22, 2024 at St. Agnes Catholic Church 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Naples, FL 34120.

Burial will be privately held at the Maple Cemetery in Berlin, Connecticut.