Peter was born in Brooklyn and grew up in NYC. He attended Chaminade High School in Brooklyn and the University of Utah on a Navy scholarship. While in Utah, Peter was able to continue his passion for the mountains, skiing and hunting. After graduating, he entered the marine corp. as an officer, ultimately reaching the rank of Captian before being honorably discharged. While in the marine corp. he specialized in artillery and served in the Suez Canal uprising and cruised the Mediterranean on a destroyer.
After leaving the marine corp. he moved his family to NJ and joined the family business. Peter spent 40 years with the Peter E. Schmitt Company. During that time he became the second generation to lead the company before passing the helm to his son, Michael. During his long career he turned many of his business acquaintances into lifelong friends. After retirement, many of those friends shared adventures around the world with him.
After retiring he moved to Florida to pursue his passions in life, sailing and travelling. Over the years, Peter sailed all over the world with his family, friends and most importantly, his best friend, Tony Fedewitz. Peter and his wife, Shirley, travelled extensively around the globe. Among the many places visited are: Africa, Europe, Scandinavia, China, South America, Australia, Easter Island and many more destinations to numerous to list. When not sailing or traveling, he filled what time was left, golfing with his friends at Willoughby.
While Peter had a passion for sailing, traveling and golf, his greatest passion and commitment was to his family. He always included his wife, children and grandchildren in his adventures. A very special memory, are the many weekends the family spent at the cabin that he and Tony built themselves in the Catskills.
Peter is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Shirley, son Michael (Ellen) Schmitt, daughter Lynn (Doug) Heller. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Julia, Nicole, Ryan and Peter and his longtime caretaker, Titeus Welch. T, as Titeus was known to the family, developed a special and funny relationship in the last years of his life. During this time when his illness made communicating very difficult, T was his voice.
Services will be held on Saturday, Septemer 24 at 3:30pm at Aycock Funeral Home, 505 South Federal Hway, Stuart.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to Alzheimers Association.
Please visit his online guestbook at www.aycockfuneralhome.net
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