We are sad to announce the passing of John Robert Schmitt, beloved brother, uncle and great-uncle, of Keene, New Hampshire, on June 13, 2026 at the age of 73.

John was born November 5, 1952, in White Plains, NY, as the seventh of nine children of George and Maria Schmitt of Scarsdale.  He graduated from Archbishop Stepinac High School in 1970, and from Manhattan College, with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, in 1974.  He worked as a chemical engineer at American Cyanamid and later Merck until he retired in 2012.   At Merck, he was particularly proud to also serve on the industrial fire brigade.

After retirement, he moved to New Hampshire where he could enjoy his life's passions - gardening, chickens, investing, and enjoying visits from his nieces and nephews and their children.   He planted apple and peach trees and turned his backyard into a verdant garden.   He loved nothing more than to have family come help him "harvest" in the fall, when he would pack trunks full with boxes of his organic peaches, peppers, tomatoes, rhubarb and more.   He was especially devoted to his "girls," who lived right outside his kitchen window and enjoyed a diet of organic blueberries and treats that would make the most well-fed hens jealous – and he was happy to share their delicious eggs with friends and neighbors.  He planted and tended for much more than he could ever eat, and he took delight in sharing his garden's bounty with his friends and family.

His nieces and nephews fondly remember trips to Great Adventure (which was really an adventure for Uncle John, when you consider how many nieces and nephews he had) and his laughter when you got him started on stories from his youth was infectious.  Uncle John filled our lives with love and innumerable lessons:   Get the chickens.  Plant the fruit trees.   Be willing to fight for your freedoms.  And get to church on Sunday.  He would never turn down a visit from family or friends, and to the end he was always up for a stock market discussion or a vitamin or supplement recommendation. John was a lifelong Catholic who attended the Latin Mass exclusively and was always generous to the Church.

John was pre-deceased by his parents, his brother Bernie, his sisters Maria and Gretchen, his sister-in-law Clare and three nephews.  He is survived by his sister Rita and brother-in-law Hugh Dolan; his brothers and sisters-in-law George, Frank (Mary), Peter (Sandra) and Joe (Maureen); by over 30 nephews and "pretty nieces," as he liked to call them; and by more than 50 great-nieces and great-nephews, many of whom remember being considered his "buddies" over the years.  A special thank you to his many friends and neighbors who stayed by his side and checked in on him and his chickens throughout his illness.  We are all going to miss him terribly.

Calling hours are from 4:00 to 8:00 on Thursday, June 18, at Bouton Funeral Home, 31 West Church Street, Wilton, CT.  A requiem Mass will be celebrated on Friday June 19th at 9:00 a.m. at Cristo Rey Church, 33 Church Street, Wilton, with interment to follow immediately at St. Mary's Cemetery in Ridgefield, CT.

To offer online condolences please visit www.boutonfuneralhome.com