John Harris Schumacher

John Harris Schumacher, 94, passed away on December 19, 2013, at Levine & Dickson Hospice House-Southminster in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was born on December 10, 1919, in New York City to Benjamin and Bessie Schumacher. John grew up in the Bronx, New York, and Poughkeepsie, New York. He graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 1937.

After high school he attended the City University of New York for one year before transferring to the New York State School of Forestry at Syracuse University. He graduated in 1943, earning a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in the Alpha Xi Sigma Society.

Following college, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for three years, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. In harm’s way during World War II, he performed many dangerous daylight missions throughout the Mediterranean aboard a mine sweeper.

After the war he worked for two years for Firestone Rubber in Liberia, West Africa before returning to Upstate New York to continue his career, this time in wholesale lumber. In the early 1960’s he started his own successful lumber brokerage, John H. Schumacher, Inc. in Liverpool, New York.

John went into retirement and relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1984.

Throughout his life, he was active in many professional, social and community programs including the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association, Lions Club International and a docent at the Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte.

John was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Florence and Muriel (Mitzi). He is survived by his loving wife, Irene E. Schumacher, of Charlotte, North Carolina and son, Bret J. Schumacher, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; three step-children, Alan Miller, Charlotte; Timothy (Pam) Miller, Hastings, New York; and Susan (Rich) Leary, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; nine step-grandchildren; and four step great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00a.m. on Monday, December 23, 2013, at the McEwen-Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, in Charlotte. Reverend Jim Lytle will officiate. A reception will follow in the funeral home. Interment will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Oswego, New York.

Condolences to the family may be offered at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.