Bernard Schmitz, School Board Trustee, Dies

By Daniel J. McCue

Throughout his long life, Bernard Schmitz was an exacting advocate for precision.

It was a mind-set, many would say a gift, that he brought from his native Germany, and put to use in his professional life as a senior economist at the Grumman Aerospace Corporation. During his long retirement, he also brought that gift to bear for the benefit of the residents of the Carle Place School District.

Oftentimes during his tenure as a Carle Place school board member, a tenure that ended with his death on Thursday, Nov. 20, Schmitz could be seen strolling the tree-lined streets of this close-knit community, seemingly lost in active thought.

When he arrived home from those walks, it's said, he often began to pour over figures, figures pertaining to teacher's salaries and school expenditures, and calculations aimed at getting local taxpayers the fairest return on their dollar.

Mr. Schmitz, who had missed the past two school board meetings and passed away after what reportedly was a brief illness, is the husband of the former Lilyan Peterkin; father of Bernadette Reilly, and father-in-law of Kenneth Reilly. He also leaves behind two grandsons, Bryan and James Herrick, and a brother, Irmgard, who resides in Washington, D.C.

In addition to his activities on the Carle Place School Board, Mr. Schmitz was a longtime member of the Westbury Republican Club.

His life was celebrated in a Memorial Mass at Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church in Carle Place on Nov. 29.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice Care, 900 Merchants Concourse, Westbury, New York, 11590.

Funeral arrangements were handled by the Cecere Funeral Home in Carle Place.