Father Michael T. Schmitt, 78

Father Michael T. Schmitt, 78, died on May 2 at Teresian House in Albany.
Father Schmitt was born on April 8, 1944, in Yonkers. Along with his parents, Charles and Audrey, and his sister, Mary-Faith, Father Schmitt lived in Dumont, N.J., then New City, N.Y. He graduated from Don Bosco High School in Ramsey, N.J. He studied at Cathedral College in New York City, St. Joseph Seminary, Dunwoodie in Yonkers, N.Y., and then Our Lady of Angels Seminary.
He was ordained for the Diocese of Albany by Bishop Edwin Broderick on May 22, 1971, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany. He served as assistant pastor of St. Helen’s in Schenectady and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Amsterdam, with additional ministry at Fulton-Montgomery Community College. He later served as assistant pastor and pastor of St. Clare’s Parish in Colonie, before retiring in 1993.
In May 1996, Father Schmitt celebrated his Silver Jubilee to the priesthood along with his 18 years as pastor of St. Clare’s. He is survived by his sister, Mary-Faith.
A Funeral Mass was held on May 5 at St. Clare’s, with Father James Kane as celebrant and homilist. The Rite of Committal was held in the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery immediately following the Mass.