Mark S. Schmidt, lived life to the fullest
Mark Steven Schmidt, 76, of Milton passed away peacefully surrounded by his two loving children, Michele Zichelli and Mark Schmidt, Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024, at Beebe Healthcare. He was born Aug. 3, 1948, in Montclair, N.J., son of the late Xavier and Mary Schmidt, and brother to the late Paul Schmidt.
In his younger years, Mark was an accomplished seaman gunner’s mate serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Guadalcanal, LPH-7, during the Vietnam War. Operations to note include Operation Mardi Gras – being the first carrier ship to sail up the Mississippi River, and later assisting the USS Guadalcanal group to recover the Apollo 9 astronauts and spacecraft in 1969. He was also awarded the Black Palm while stationed in the Caribbean Sea.
Later in life, Mark worked for 20-plus years as a parks supervisor with the Essex County Parks Commission in Essex County, N.J. He received many accolades and awards for maintaining beautiful and lusciously colorful county parks and recreational facilities.
Mark was born with two green thumbs, and everyone enjoyed being in his company. He was always a pleasure to be around and was the life of any party with family and friends. Mark also volunteered his time overseeing the bingo operations for Sacred Heart School along with being its Boy Scout Scoutmaster Troop 14 for many years in Bloomfield, N.J. He enjoyed working with and mentoring many young children, and was an avid fresh and saltwater fisherman.
Mark retired to Milton in 2009 with his loving wife, the late Gertrude Schmidt, and made many loving, caring and gentle friendships through the years.
A devoted father and grandfather, he leaves behind a cherished daughter, Michele (Matt) Zichelli; a loving son, Mark (Alexis) Schmidt; and their mother, Michele Schmidt (Masucci); along with five grandchildren: Dominick, Nicholas, Isabelle, Xavier and Asher.
A gathering will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes.
Visit Mark’s Life Memorial at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
