Obituaries

Gervase G. Schmitt, 83

Gervase G. Schmitt, 83, of Lancaster, died June 20, 2006 at Essa Flory Hospice Center after an illness.

Born in the Cabbage Hill section of Lancaster, PA, he was the son of the late August and Florence Geiter Schmitt. His wife, Elizabeth M. “Betty” Graver Schmitt, died in 1966. He will be missed by his loving companion, Elizabeth “Betty” Myers of Lancaster.

Gervase was a 1943 graduate of Stevens Trade School. He was employed by RCA as a toolmaker through World War II, until 1951.

In 1951, Gervase founded G.G. Schmitt & Sons Marine Hardware, Inc. in Lancaster, PA. The company has now grown to 2 major operations: one remaining in the East Hempfield area and one in Sarasota, FL.

A contributing member of the Alumni Association at Stevens Trade School, now Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, he served as President in 1968 and was a member of the Board of Trustees from 1995-1998. In the year 2000 he received an honorary Doctorate in Public Service degree from the college.

Smitty, as he was well-known to his many friends, enjoyed many things life had to offer, including yachting and cruising the Chesapeake Bay, playing tennis, traveling, motorcycling, and shooting pool. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 867; 4th Degree Santa Maria Assembly; Lancaster Elks Club, where he was a one-time member of the Elks Drill Team; Lancaster Liederkrantz; Conestoga Country Club; Hamilton Club; Wellwood Yacht Club; Bean Club; and the  Cosmopolitan Club.

Gervase is also survived by three sons: Gervase A., husband of Catherine E. Schmitt of Wrightsville; Ronald T., husband of Bernadette L. Schmitt; and Stephen R., husband of Connie L. Schmitt, all of Lancaster; and a daughter, Marianne E., wife of Gary D. Curtis of Mountville; 10 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; a brother, August F. Jr., husband of Elizabeth “Goldie” Schmitt of Laurel, MD; and a sister, Melanie T. Mills of Lancaster. He was preceded in death by a son, Gregory M. Schmitt, a grandson, Daniel C. Curtis, and a great-granddaughter, Julianna Schmitt.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 2427 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, PA on Friday at 11:00 a.m. Interment in St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery. Friends may pay their respects to the family at the church on Friday morning from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Please omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Anne’s Retirement Community, 3952 Columbia Avenue, Columbia, PA 17512; Knights of Columbus Building Fund, 1575 New Danville Pike, Lancaster, 17603; or to Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604.

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