“Eddie's Final Round with his Dad Tony"
(a fuller version of his eulogy given in memory of his Dad)

During a business trip to central Florida in February, I got to play a round of golf with my Mom and Dad a mere 2 weeks prior to Tony's passing. It was the first game we got to play together in years...

I let them know that I don't get to play too much any more (because of the demands of being a self-employed glass artist and being a busy Dad to our two young kids). “There's a good chance I'm gonna lose a few balls, so better bring plenty of them along…”.

I knew I was in trouble when my when my Dad said just the day before he shot his best round in years---: and I know it's quite an achievement when you can come close to shooting your age...for eighteen holes!

At the driving range, I was pleasantly surprised that I could still manage something of a swing...and actually hit the ball!  ('Course you know what happens on the driving range--stays on the driving range!).


On the first hole my first glorious drive required a "Mulligan"...
(I wasn't used to swinging those new-fangled drivers with the heads bigger than Mt. Rushmore)! I finished with a respectable bogie.

By the 4th hole, it became painfully clear my drives were long all right---
And right they went-O.B.!...and maybe into one of your backyards!...
At least we didn't hear the sound of breaking glass!

While digging around in the woods on hole 6 or 7- (my slice growing stronger with every drive-) my Dad thoughtfully said: "Watch out for snakes!"  
“Snakes? You're not kidding are you…”  Oh yeah…this isn't the Pacific N.W! 

By hole 12 I had forgotten about the snakes and managed to sink a small chip shot off the green that brought smiles to our whole threesome!
Maybe there's hope for me yet!   "This game is kinda cool" I thought to myself.

At the 14th or 15th hole I was praying for a dog-leg right and finally got my wish. Needless to say it was the first hole of the day where my drive actually went straight, so the golf gods were clearly having a chuckle over that one.

My next drive went so far to the right out of bounds my mom tried to console me: "That's ok Eddie, we've got lots of old balls...Here, have another one…".


By the 17th hole my Dad was clearly getting tired and ready to call it a day.
"Who plays seventeen holes?" I cried.-...”C'mon,  just one more to go and I can at least say I got to play a full round of golf in Florida."

On the 18th tee, Dad gave me some sage advice: "Just slow it down! Allow the club to do the work it was designed to do and everything will be fine".
I did, and after the next gratuitous Mulligan, I hit my best drive of the day, on the round that will mean the most to me for the rest of my life.

I am so thankful for all of you in attendance today, for being the true community that you all are and welcoming my parents into the fold.

You really look after each other and offer so much support in times of need, that our whole family is truly grateful.  Please look after my Mom, give her a call or drop in for a visit when you can. And I would like to close by reminding you of that bit of advice my Dad gave me...and that is to slow down; not only on your swing ...but in all aspects of life...on your way to a tee time or an appointment, or simply enjoying your loved ones around you...and live one day at a time...
You never know if it'll be yours, or someone else's dear to you, the last one or best one you'll ever get.

I remember many good times at your lovely home in Lake Geneva.  I'm so sorry for your loss.  A father is our hero and role model.  He holds our hand and guides us through life.  Now he's reunited with loved ones that have passed before him, and he's happy and patiently waiting for the day when you're together again.  May his loving memories bring you comfort as you honor his life.

Louise, our deepest sympathy to you and the family. I worked for Tony many years at the Milwaukee Ave. office.
He was a highly respected Realtor. Modris and I are very thankful for the advice and assistance he gave us  when we purchased our home many years ago in Park Ridge, Il. May your memories  of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family today and always. We hope to see  you on May 11th. Sincerely, Val and Modris Galenieks

Am saddened to hear of the passing of Uncle Tony. Tony was the Patriach of the Schmid family. Tony was always there for my Father George who was Tony's brother. When my Dad passed away in 1986, Tony was there for me and my brothers and handled the funeral arrangements. Tony was a great man who will truly be missed. R.I.P Uncle Tony.

I have fond memories growing up remembering Tony and my cousin Louise coming over to our house and Tony playing the piano. Before long everyone was singing. Those were good times. I also remember his generosity sharing his home in Lake Geneva for family reunions. Our family loved it. He will always be remembered. Dennis & Karen Kave & Family

I was very saddened to hear about the passing of one of my mentors. My uncle Tony was a great man. Not just a great businessman, but a great man. Many don't know this, but he was one of the few that supported our move to Arizona almost 30 years ago. Leaving our family and family business behind to start fresh was not an easy task. He knew the pressures it would bring, but also knew the importance of living your own life. He was there giving guidence when few were around to help. I remember our breakfast meetings and the advice given to me to start our new insurance business in Arizona.  Much of the credit of our sucess today is because of him. I will miss him, but will continue his legacy by mentoring other young people with his strength and knowledge. The world has lost a great leader.  Our prayers are with all of the Schmid family.  Russ Beyer and the Beyer family.

Tony was always a true gentleman with a winning smile and a super sense of humor. We enjoyed the opportunity we had to golf or dine with Tony. He certainly will be missed by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing him

DEAR LOUISE,
OVER THE PAST COUPLE YEARS WHEN I'D MET TONY GETTING OUT OF HIS CAR I'D ASK HIM, "HEY TONY, DID I GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO DRIVE MY CAR TO THE CLUB TODAY?" (QUESTION PROVOKED BY THE FACT THAT HIS CAR IS THE EXACT CAR I'D BUY IF I COULD)  MY QUESTION WOULD ONLY ELICIT A DRY SMILE AND A LITTLE REFRAINMENT.

WHEN BEING TOLD WHO WAS IN THE DAYS FOURSOME I WAS ALWAYS DELIGHTED KNOWING TONY WOULD BE INVOLVED.  HE WAS ALWAYS FRIENDLY, ENCOURAGING AND FUN TO BE WITH.  WITH MY LAST CONVERSATION WITH HIM BEING ONLY A LITTLE OVER A WEEK AGO, DURING WHICH WE DISCUSSED HIS POST OPERATIVE CONDITION, I WAS STUNNED TO LEARN OF HIS PASSING.

WE WILL MISS A GENUINELY GOOD GUY.  PAULINE AND I ONLY WISH WE HAD THE WORDS TO CONVEY OUR FEELINGS KNOWING YOUR EMPTINESS AND LOSS AT THIS TIME.

WITH LOVE,
ROD AND PAULINE (WOODBURY)

I have enjoyed working with Tony from the first day I met him.  His easy going ways, his smile and his gentle manner made working with him at ERA Key 1 Realty a true pleasure.  Tony always was ready to do his part, and share his good ideas. His loss is sad and very personal.He will be truly missed. Luckily we still have Louise at our office and she shares many of Tony's wonderful traits. Louise and Tony were a perfect pair, a match made in heaven.  We at Key 1 Realty will keep the good memeories of Tony in our hearts.  Gail Cooper

The first time I met Tony, we asked each other where we were from. We both said Chicago, but you probably never heard of the area. As it turned out, we were both from Norwood Park and grew up a few blocks from each other. Ww talked about growing up in Norwood Park many times. Tony was a fine gentleman. Bob Roehl.

Tony's Eulogy

No one expects to die.  Sure we all know someday  it will happen…we may buy life insurance,  even make wills…trusts  and bucket lists, but the thought of dying is then safely tucked away for that day we hope will never come.    But I also know going into surgery, my dad knew there was a chance he would not make it out as he hoped….he was that kind of man who didn't leave anything to chance as evidenced by all the preparations he had made.   But he also knew how to continue to live each day like it was your last as exemplified by playing in a golf tournament the day before his surgery at the golf club he so loved to play and I have a sneaking suspicion that he even had a four-some secured for after the minute the doctor gave him the all clear.   
As a father of 2 spirited boys myself, I have always thought in awe how my mom and dad could have possibly raised the 5 of us and survived with their sanity in-tact.  “Wait till your father comes home” was the mantra of the day and one particular time after pounding on my oldest sisters arm till it was numb…she ran to my dad and told him how I had hit her for nothing.   My dad turned to me and asked did you hit your sister for nothing?  I hung my head and said yes….he said next time charge her a quarter.   He always had another way of looking at things that would certainly take you by surprise and reveal a special wisdom and wit that was his unique way of happily navigating through some of the more trying moments in life.
No other male Schmid made it past 55 years old which actually weighed heavily on my dad and I can almost remember the relief I saw in his face as we celebrated his 56th birthday and from that day on my dad took full advantage of those extra miles he now knew he had.  I look back at all that he did with these bonus years.   He moved to Wisconsin….not to retire but to open another real estate office with Louise and buy a beautiful lake front home on Lake Geneva.  Surely what could be better than taking clients to show homes than on his boat…dad always found a way to disguise work as pure pleasure.   Those years in Wisconsin, his children became adults, found their spouses and Tony welcomed each new son-in-law and daughter-in-law with his familiar beaming smile and loving big bear hug.  
Obviously living in Wisconsin meant more days away from the golf course because of the prolific Wisconsin snows but that only meant more of the many road trips Tony and Louise would make over the years to warmer states to the south.  One such road trip they found themselves heading through north of Tampa and there was something strangely familiar…the trees and sand so very similar to the Wisconsin terrain they came to love.  
One round of golf down here and  as they say in Real Estate vernacular they were sold …and Sugarmill was soon to be their new home.  I was never sad to see my parents move so far away from me as there were no two happier people than my mom and dad living the life down here in Homosassa.  As Tony and my mom lived their new life down here in Florida all us Schmid kids were living theirs.  6 grandkids came along AJ, Owen, Patrick, Ailia, Brendan and Milo and each and every one them were a pure joy to my dad and it was pure joy for us to see Tony do the same things he did with them that he did with us when  we were little.  All the things my dad loved to do now live on in us and his grandkids.  His love of playing piano, of painting and the arts, his love of jazz music and especially his love of carpentry and the many projects he had helped us with over the years and of course playing golf.  The pictures we have of our dad through the years only hint at the truly happy times we all had.  
Going through his pictures also revealed to me a side of my dad I barely knew that so many here today know so well and that is all the wonderful, fun, exciting-happy-times he and Louise had here over the years here in Sugarmill playing thousands of rounds of golf and surely as many bets.  Looking at all these new faces here today is a true testament that not only was my father well-liked by many, he was also really loved as a great friend and good neighbor.   You  got to know Tony Schmid, not the husband Tony or the father Tony, or Realtor Tony…you got know the happy and playful man eager to help and make you laugh every chance he had.  The stories we are being told about Tony are endless and his memory will live on in all of us for a very long time.  
Even as dad was in surgery, I will never forget those endearing words my mom told me in how…. they told each other the night before the surgery that they really had quite the ride together and thanked each other for the life they together had shared.
Those few words sum up, yet hardly begin to describe a half a century of a true love and respect my parents had for each other and the so many wonderful times they had together that will serve as a lasting example of what true love and respect for a life partner is really all about.   
No one expects to die…yes we are sad and will miss Tony dearly, but today we can be happy for having known my dad and celebrate that he truly was happy, he had done all he ever wanted to do in life, he was successful, he raised 5 wonderful children who gave him 6 beautiful grandchildren, that he was loved by so many, he didn't suffer at the end and he went out playing some of the best golf of his life!
Now please hold the hand of the person next to you as I read a little something I wrote the day before my dad's surgery I call The Hand….
I remember those hands as big as baseball mitts, that I would wrap my entire hand around one finger as it swung me high in the air. That hand would pull my brother, 3 sisters and I on the toboggan through the deep snow in the woods. That hand held mine as it showed me how to drive my first nail with a hammer. That hand would catch my errant throws as we played catch. That hand comforted me when I was sick or sad. That hand gave me the keys to his car the day I got my drivers license. That hand that with pride shook mine the day I graduated from college the same way it did when I got married. That hand brought me comfort and confidence to become the man I am today and tomorrow in spirit I will hold your hand to comfort you before you go in for surgery!  And today….we all stand together holding your hand one last time as you begin your final journey.

I had the pleasure of playing golf with Tony. He was always striving to improve on his game. To my way of thinking he was already one of the best, as a person and golfer. we will really miss him

To Jay and family, our thoughts and prayers go out to you at this time in your lives.  Your father lives on with the memories in your hearts... From your friends at Polygem, West Chicago, IL

I'll miss Tony on the course.  He had a kind word for everyone.  Often while playing together, he and I talked about our children, the Hurricane Hunters.  His daughter in the Air Force and our youngest a pilot with NOAA.  Dennis Didier

Tony was one of the most creative do'er and thinker we have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He created the clock fixture that sits on the Southern Woods putting green. He rose to the challenge created it with his own time and money to leave us with a momento of his kindness, generosity and creativity. Thank you Tony for knowing you.
Mike & Nancy Theodore

One day I said to Tony," I can't understand how someone can rent me a pontoon boat when I have no clue how to maneuver one"
Tony responded,"don't rent a boat, I'll take you out in mine." I had no intentions of renting a boat.
The big day comes, we assemble at the marina, The giant forklift plucks Tony's boat from the rafters and deposits it in the river. The now Captain Tony puts on his Captain's hat, enters his logbook and off we go, at trolling speed down or up the river. No wake speed on the river is like going through a 20 mph school zone, it never ends, but when it does end, it's full throttle.

Off we zoomed into the Gulf of Mexico, nose in the air, full wake and ample smoke pouring out of the engine compartment. Smoke! This ain't right. The Captain was close to panic, where there's smoke, there's fire. We were quickly surrounded by other boats and two young men climbed aboard with extinguishers. In the meantime we had donned our life vest and were prepared to abandon ship. My wife asked,"should we take our shoes off or leave them on." It was at that point that I looked over the side and realized we were in three feet of water! (Gulf of Mexico)

It was a solemn tow back to the marina, there had been no real fire, just insulation burning off due to a defective manifold cooling pump. Back to the Marina, fed the noseeums for a while and called it a day.

For some unknown reason, Capt Tony never invited me out for another excursion. Guess I must have been a jinx or such.

Rich Perry           Homosassa

As a fellow Engineer, I commend Tony for his ability to change careers with the people skills that enabled him to exhibit exemplary ability to come across with such sincerety in dealing with others.

Perhaps the reason we were so saddened by Tony's passing was the recollection of the what a gentle man he was whether is was socially or on the golf course.  We can't recall ever hearing a complaint or harsh words about any subject.  Tony will be missed.

Our deepest sympathy to Louise and the family.  Tony's zest for life, great laugh and wisdom will be greatly missed.  We will cherish many happy memories of times spent together.

Tony and my husband,Joe,spent an evening together. What Tony said to him had a life chancing effect on Joe and the life of our family. The conversation was about what makes a man a real"MAN". It impacted Joe so much, he turned himself  to advancing his career at Zentih, starting his own business at the same time and into having income property. All this was done so Joe could give his children a good life. Joe became the "MAN" . Joe has a comfortable retired life now, with the wise advise from Tony.

You're already missed. You'll be missed forever. We had many great times, on and off the golf course. 
I'll miss all those "Holy Schmids" after a rare bad shot. An inspiration as a golfer and as a gentleman.

Rest in peace my friend, "you done good"

Rich & Barb Perry    Homosassa Fl.

Tony, thank you for your seriousness, glibness and kindness.  You and Louise, though for a short period of our lives, have become memorable.

Tony was a good man and golfing bud.  His competitive spirit and mild demeanor a trademark of Mid-Western character.  Known to me as the Wisconsin Wood Chopper (because of his booming drives at his age), I will miss the opportunity to "rag" him on his (ahem) poor putting.

Deep sympathy to the family in their loss...I worked for Tony at the Milwaukee Office in Chicago, Illinois for many years in insurance and as a Real Estate Broker....Pleasant memories of him

Tony was a true gentleman and a great competitor, two fine attributes.  He will be missed.

Tony was always a great asset and friend
to Sugarmill Woods and Southern Woods.

The Bolton family extends our deepest sympathy to Louise and family (especially Louise).  Tony and Louise were the first couple to embrace Vicky and me when we first became dual members at Sugarmill and Southern.  We will always cherish your friendship and your presence at our annual Christmas party.  And above all, we will always keep Tony's infectious smile in our memories.

Grace and Peace

Jimmy, Vicky and the Bolton family

While serving with Tony on the board of Southern Woods Men's Golf Association, I was always impressed with his ability to minimize conflict, assess situations and offer alternatives, and most importantly (to Tony), keep all the members happy.  He was a gentleman on the course and off, an avid and competitive golfer, a positive fellow,  a lover of all things Disney, and a good friend.

Deepest sympathy to the Schmid family.  Tony will certainly be missed by Ginni and me- many dinners and plays with our Monday golf group and spouses.  Our Monday golf foursome enjoyed six great years- competitive but friendly golf every Monday! Many fond memories of Tony!

                                   There's a tinny piano in heaven,
Not the grand you're expecting to see,
But the man sitting there at the keyboard
Is playing his heart out with glee.
The angels are gathered around him,
Their harps at their feet for a while,
As they clap their hands to his ragtime
And share his laugh and his smile.
The music our Tony has brought them
Has livened that old pearly gate,
The audience grows, as they're tapping their toes,
To the songs they appreciate.

When each of us goes there to join him,
When our days on earth are all done,
We'll be greeted by joyous reunions
With old friends, everyone.
We're expecting a chorus of angels,
Singing and making a fuss,
But I know we'll hear a piano –
Tony playing his ragtime for us.

With Love, Raylene and Marty

Dear Tony  along with your family we mourn our loss, but celebrate your life and the wonderful friendship we shared.

You will bew greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers to Louise and the family.
Fred and Beryl DiBattista

My deepest sympathies to Louise and family, especially to my good friend Jay, so sorry to hear pal.

Sending you and your family our deepest sympathies for your loss.

I would like to wish Tony's family my deepest sympathy. He was a good man and loved to golf. My fondest memories are golfing with him at Lake Bluff and sharing our games afterward at the 19th hole.

I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time.            Tony was like a brother to me and I missed  him when he moved to Florida and I will miss him even more now. I will include him in my prayers as well as all the family. God bless you, Louise, and may the Lord give you strength during this time of grief.

OBITUARIO

Anton J. "Tony" Schmid

15 abril, 1935 – 14 febrero, 2013

Macrini-Wilder Funeral Home

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