The Rev. Father Wayne R. Schmidt, an Episcopal Priest and Rector Emeritus of St. George’s Church, Newburgh entered into eternal rest on December 24, 2020 surrounded by family at home.
He was born on February 20, 1934 in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Wainwright Paul Schmidt and Gertrude Adelade Trulson [Thompson]. He spent most of his childhood and teenage years in Merrick, Long Island, attending Merrick’s K-8th Grade School and the Wellington C. Mepham High School, graduating in 1952. He went to Hobart College in Geneva, N.Y. majoring in anthropology and sociology with a minor in history and graduating in 1956. Having felt a strong call to the ordained ministry, he entered the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in Chelsea, Manhattan, graduating with a Master of Divinity in 1959.
He was ordained a Deacon on April 4, 1959 at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Garden City, Long Island and on October 10th of the same year, the Bishop of Long Island ordained him a priest. He served as an assistant at Saint Stephen’s Port Washington and as an Assisting Priest at Saint James the Less in Scarsdale, Westchester County, N.Y. with responsibility for youth work.
In 1964 he was appointed Priest in Charge of Saint Paul's Church in Pleasant Valley, Dutchess County, N.Y., serving there for 11 years. In November 1975 he began his tenure as Rector of Saint George’s Church, Newburgh where he served until his retirement on December 31, 1994. During his time at Saint George’s, he served several terms as President of the Greater Newburgh Ministerial Association. He oversaw the expansion of the parish food program and was instrumental in providing space in the parish hall for the Coalition for Peoples’ Rights, a local advocacy organization. He was also a member of Rotary International.
At the Diocesan level Fr. Schmidt served for ten years as a Trustee of the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in NYC, the Seat of the Bishop of New York. He also was Chairman of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission for approximately twelve years, as they initiated programs to introduce the new Book of Common Prayer of 1979 and of the new Hymnal 1982, to the parishes of the Diocese by way of regional workshops. During his time as Chairman, the Commission also started a quarterly publication called “AMEN” which distributed position papers on various liturgical topics to the clergy of the Diocese.
Since his retirement at the beginning of 1995, he served as a supply priest in area parishes officiating during clergy vacations and as an Interim Priest during vacancies between Rectors or Priests in charge. He was subsequently hired as an Assistant Priest at Zion in Wappingers Falls for seven years. After retiring a second time, he began delivering Meals on Wheels in the greater Newburgh area and served on the Board of Directors. He and his wife Ann enjoyed their retirement traveling throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and many of the countries of Europe, especially to Norway, Sweden and Germany, his family’s countries of origin. He toured the Holy Land in 2006, visiting the sites related to Jesus’ birth, ministry and resurrection.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Devlin Schmidt, his sons Wayne Burleigh Schmidt and wife Joyce of Marstons Mills, Ma. and David George Schmidt and wife Anne of Red Hook, NY; and grandchildren Elizabeth, Allyson, Dillan, Michael and Grace Louise; and great grandson, Aaron and by his nephews and nieces: Michael and Scott Harris, Ellen Winslow and husband Rob, Christine Egan and husband Eric, and Keith and John Wilson. He is pre-deceased by his daughter Anne Elizabeth; his sisters: Carole A. Harris and Susan G. Wilson and his nephew Matthew Harris.
Fr. Schmidt’s cremains will be interred in St. George’s Columbarium with family present. A Mass will be celebrated at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, it is Father Schmidt’s wish that contributions be made to St. George’s Cemetery Fund, St. George’s Church, 105 Grand Street, Newburgh, N.Y. 12550. It is a historic (1838) non-denominational cemetery in need of help and worthy of support.
Arrangements are under the care of White, Venuto and Morrill Funeral and Cremation Service, 188 N. Plank Road, Newburgh, NY 12550.