Mr. Schihl was born March 29, 1926 in Bridgeburg, Welland County, Ontario. His growing up years were spent in the Ft. Erie area, including working in his grandparent's general store on Schihl Road on the Ft. Erie Niagara Falls border. He graduated from Ft. Erie High School and attended St. Jerome's College in Kitchener.
Mr. Schihl worked as a fabricator and mechanic at Fleet Industries and Twin Coach before starting his own company for fabrication and repair as well as his own distribution company.
An advocate of motor racing, Mr. Schihl raced Sportsman Division cars and motorcycles in Southern Ontario and Buffalo's old Civic Stadium. In 1956 he began racing nationally in NASCAR's new stock car convertible division. His #3 red and white 1956 Ford convertible finished in the top third of all drivers despite racing as an independent against Detroit factory sponsored teams.
After retiring from NASCAR racing, Mr. Schihl remained in the Buffalo area and drove trucks and heavy equipment on the Niagara Power Project. After the project, he continued to drive trucks in the Buffalo area. His last employer was Dallas Mavis and he was a long time member of the Tuck Drivers Local Union #449.
A man of many skills and interest, Mr. Schihl was a golf pro in Hamilton, and avid tennis player and bicycle rider.
Growing up in Ft. Erie, he played on numerous local hockey teams for over 4 years, including playing for the Ft. Erie Old Timers into his 60's and playing for them on multiple trips to compete in Europe.
A gifted skier, he was a National Ski Patrolman for 27 years at Holiday Valley in Ellicottville and traveled dozens of times to Europe and Western U.S. and Canada on ski trips. He was a 50 year member of the Lederhosen Ski Club.
He was also a water sports enthusiast, water skiing and owning his own ski boat. In later year's after white water rafting in the U.S. and Canada, including the Lower Niagara River, he switched to sailing and owned his own 30' sailboat for over 20 years and was a long time active member of the Buffalo Harbor Sailing club and the U.S. Power Squadron.
Mr. Schihl was also a 50 year member of the Ft. Erie Knights of Columbus.
Mr. Schihl was predeceased by his parents, Edward N. Schihl and Mary Agnes Driscoll Schihl, of Ft. Erie.
Visitation will be Tuesday 7-9 and Wednesday 2-4 & 7-9 at the Dengler Roberts, Perna Funeral Home, 3000 Delaware Avenue, Kenmore, NY. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday 11am at St. Michael's Church, 310 Central Avenue, Ft. Erie, Ontario. Burial to immediate follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery Ft. Erie, Ontario
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