MEMORIAL FOR JIM SCHMIDT DECEMBER 1

Tom Privitere and Jim Schmidt pose for cameras at an Education Rally
at the Liberty Pole in downtown Rochester, N.Y. March 17, 2011.
photo: Bess Watts

MEMORIAL FOR JIM SCHMIDT

Saturday, December 1, 2012

3 pm

UR Memorial Art Gallery

Rochester, NY

James F. Schmidt

Rochester: 73, of Rochester, died November 10, 2012. The son of the late John and Susan Schmidt, Jim was born in Auburn on July 20, 1939. He started his career teaching at Central Tech of Syracuse, and then began teaching migrant farmworkers. He was the former Executive Director of the Cayuga County Action Program, worked in the Human Affairs Program at Cornell University, and became the first Director of the National Center for Appropriate Technology in Butte, Montana. He later served as the Director of Farm Worker's Legal Services of NY for over twenty-five years.

Devoted to his family and friends, he was also known for his lifelong commitment to the movement for social and economic justice. He was a co-founder of the Band of Rebels. Jim excelled at playing and coaching basketball and was an avid golfer and runner. Jim is survived by his wife Denise Young, two sons, Robert (Barbara) Schmidt and John "Jack" (Shannon) Schmidt all of Baldwinsville, a step-daughter Gillian Young-Miller of Rochester, five grandchildren, James, Lauren, Alexander, and McKenzie Schmidt and Fallon Young-Streaker, a sister Mary (Michael) Mastropietro, of Saratoga Springs, two brothers, J. Edward (Karen) Schmidt of Long Island, and Thomas (Janis) Schmidt of Auburn, a sister in law, Linda Schmidt of Auburn, Jon and Barbara Young of Depew and Kevin and Joan Young of Sodus Point, many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by his first wife Elaine Schmidt, and a brother Robert Schmidt. Special thanks to Drs. Schoeniger, Mulford, Deepak and Constine and their staff.

A memorial celebration of Jim's life will be held Saturday, December 1 at 3 pm at the Memorial Art Gallery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wilmot Cancer Center or United for Peace and Justice.