James Thomas Schmuck's Obituary
James Thomas Schmuck October 26, 1918 – January 23, 2015 Resident of San MateoJim Schmuck passed away on Friday, January 23, 2015 at the wonderful age of 96. He was predeceased by the absolute love of his life, Regina, who he affectionately referred to as “Mush.” They shared the best of what life had to offer for over 75 fabulous years. Proud parents of seven children, twenty-six grandchildren, and soon to be twenty great-grandchildren.Born in Jamaica Queens, New York to William and Elizabeth Schmuck. Predeceased by his siblings Will, Rosemary (Teen) Adikes, and Joan Marciano. Beloved uncle to John Marshall and Barbara Dykema as well as numerous other nephews and nieces.Jim attended Chaminade High School in Mineola, New York and then the winds of fate as well as his superior athletic abilities provided him the great opportunity to play football for the “Big Red” at Cornell University. As if that was not time consuming enough he also was a member of the track team each spring season.In 1939, Jim proudly wore the number “96” and played end for Cornell during their campaign to the National Championship as well as posting an undefeated season of 8-0. Along the way they toppled the likes of Ohio State and the undefeated Penn State in their last game of the season. Jim finished his football career at Cornell in 1941 when he had the honor to participate for the East team in the annual collegiate All-Star “East-West” Shrine Game at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco. While out in the Bay Area Jim earned his college nickname of “Ham Schmuck” by being interviewed at Shriner’s Hospital about the whole experience of playing in the East-West game. Never a guy with just a few words. He often said that it was on that trip that he decided to someday bring his lovely new wife back to California and raise his future family in the Bay Area. After graduating from Cornell’s Hotel Management School, Jim worked briefly before enlisting with the United States Army in World War II. He was a second lieutenant and because of his background in the hotel business spent much of his time organizing all the necessary food supplies for the troop ships that were heading out to sea for months at a time.When WWII ended, Jim continued to work within the food industry with Seymour Packing Co. and Ellenberger Egg Suppliers in Topeka, Kansas, all the while waiting for the opportunity to head West. It finally came in 1957. Jim and Regina packed up their six kids and set out for California so he could begin his new career with the Del Monte Corporation in San Francisco.Jim’s many years at Del Monte cannot be better represented than to quote one of his dear friends from the Del Monte family:It is a challenge to adequately capture with words Jim’s full impact on Del Monte, the Del Monte family and indeed the food industry. Jim’s business acumen, passion,energy, joyfulness, compassion and his confidence, respect and appreciation for others were legendary.All Del Monte and his food industry colleagues benefited from Jim’s extraordinary leadership and his energetic larger-than-life personality. Scores of our colleagues directly exceeded and advanced from his mentoring and nurturing.Every venue always came alive and was improved by Jim’s presence. It was tremendous how he modeled the way: Jim’s uniqueness was admired and appreciated by all. And yet, it was impossible for anyone to duplicate all his gifts, attributes and characteristics…forever keeping Jim exceptional.Already colleagues are sharing their thoughts; “Jim had confidence in me when others – including myself – did not.” “One always felt uplifted after a meeting with Jim.” “ Jim was a hero and friend; one of the best people that Del Monte ever had,” ”A real doer.” “One of the best is gone; a sad day.” “I remember how others always praised Jim’s cooperative spirit.”Anyone who met Jim knew very quickly his passions and priorities in life – his beloved Regina, his family, and his faith. Jim and Regina met as teenagers on Jones Beach in New York where he was a lifeguard. As legend has it, he noticed her strolling rather provocatively past the lifeguard station and that was it. 75 plus years later, there was nothing he would not do for her. They enjoyed every bit of life together. They spent so much time playing bridge, golf, trips to Carmel, Hawaii, and their beloved Northstar always with some part of the family in tow. Sunday night dinners following afternoons of swimming, pickle ball, shuffleboard, and pool tournaments were the norm for many, many years. Jim and Regina cherished their grandchildren. Each and every one of them. And the great grandchildren? Icing on the cake. No one enjoyed “children” more than Jim and Regina Schmuck. Jim’s reciting of nursery rhymes, the legendary quiz contests and their never ending unconditional love will never be forgotten.While not one to wear his religion on his sleeve, Jim’s depth of faith was ever present. He was private in his practice of his religion and did need some adjustment time when the church instituted the “kiss of peace” part of the mass. However, he did eventually come along. Up to the end of his life whenever he received communion his reverence for and belief in God was so clear and apparent and will always be such an example to us all.Jim was truly a man for all seasons. The manner in which he lived his life and loved his family will live forever within his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.He is survived by his children: Mary, Jim (Trish), Charles, Christine, Paul (Edna), Lisa and Peter (Leslie); twenty-six grandchildren and soon to be twenty great-grandchildren. What a legacy!Friends and family are invited to attend a rosary at Crosby N. Gray (2 Park Road, Burlingame) on Thursday, February 5th 2015 at 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 6th, at 10am at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church (1310 Bayswater Ave. Burlingame). There will also be a reception on Friday at Poplar Creek (1700 Coyote Point Drive in San Mateo) following the burial @ Skylawn Memorial Park (highway 92 at Skylawn Blvd. in San Mateo).If you would like to make a donation in Jim and Regina Schmuck’s name please consider St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in memory of their grandson, Joe Fitzgerald and Jennifer Kranz from our large extended family (stjude.org).
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