Valentine Schmitt

Phoenicia-

Valentine “Val” Schmitt passed away unexpectedly on February 19, 2023 at the age of 66. Val was born and raised on Long Island where he attended Lawrence High School. He will always be remembered as the older kid that the other kids looked up to. Growing up on Jamaica Bay, Val’s adventurous spirit helped build his lifelong love for fishing and boating. Val relocated to Shandaken, New York in his twenties where he met many of his lifelong friends. 

Loving all things on wheels, he enjoyed stock car racing, building and racing his own car, and traveling to spectate racing events. Val was a highly admired 40 year member of the Shandaken-Allaben Hose Company, where he climbed the ranks to assistant chief. He was the driving force behind the success of the fire department’s drill team who competed in New York State firematic competitions. Frequent visits back to Long Island involved spending time with family and friends, enjoying time on the water, and spectating drill team tournaments. 

Val loved his friends and family, but his greatest love was his daughter, Casandra. They weren’t just father and daughter, but best friends. They were each other’s rock, shoulder to cry on, guiding light, and chamber of secrets. Anybody that knew Val would tell you that she was his greatest creation and the light of his life. Val exemplified what it meant to “give the shirt off your back” to someone. He has been described by many as dedicated, kind hearted, silly, and overall a gentle giant with the biggest heart. He will be remembered as Smitty, a great friend, pitmaster, teacher, father, son, brother, uncle, and poppa. 

Val was predeceased by his dad Robert MacFadden and grandparents Gus and Helen Schmitt. His memory lives on with his daughter Casandra Schmitt, his nieces who were more like daughters Kayla (Liam) Casey, and Ashley Ford, his mom Adrienne MacFadden, his brother Stephen MacFadden, his sister Andrea (Thomas) Lonergan, his niece Anastasia Lonergan, his nephew Robert MacFadden, his granddaughters Shae Shae, D, Memsie, Abs, and Avery, his little Butterball, and his closest extended family and friends.

To honor Val’s wishes, there will be no funeral services. We invite you to privately celebrate Smitty’s memory in your own ways, knowing that he is with us all in spirit. In his memory, memorial donations can be made to the Shandaken-Allaben Hose Company. You may share a special memory, photo, or condolence on Smitty's Tribute Wall at www.gormleyfunerlhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Valentine Schmitt, please visit our floral store.