Joseph Glenn Schmidt

Joseph Glenn Schmidt, 93, passed on February 20, 2025.

Glenn was born at home in Ansonia, CT on January 14, 1932, son of the late Lincoln and Lillian (Haaf) Schmidt. He graduated from the Charles H Pine Manual Training School, majoring in woodworking.

He enlisted in the USAF in March of 1950. Basic Training was at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, first 80 man flight. His training included Air Craft and Engine school at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, TX and Aircraft Electrical School at Chanute AFB in Rantol, IL. He was deployed to Burtonwood AFB in Warrington, England. He was Honorably Discharged in 1953 with the rank of A1/C NCOIC of the flight line Electrical Shop. Upon returning from the service he was employed at George J Flint and Seymour Manufacturing.

On June 26th Glenn was married to Idella (Schreiber), seven years from the time they met at the Congregational Church of Ansonia.

He worked from 1954 to 1965 at Sikorsky Aircraft as a Flight line electrician. Projects during that time; 1958 NAS Patuxant River testing HSS-1, 1959 NAS Boca Chica, Key West, FL Sonar development for the new HSS-2, 1962 Halifax Nova Scotia HSS-2 demonstration to the Royal Canadian Navy, 1962 Otis AFB CAPE Cod Flying support to the Texas Tower Early Warning System, 1963 Malstrom AFB Great Falls, MT support of the Minute Man Missile sites, and 1965 Check out and ground testing the first CH/53A’s. in March of 1965 the family moved from Beacon Falls, CT to WABAN Farms in Ashfield, MA in partnership in dairy farming with father-in-law William Schreiber and brother-in-law Thomas Schreiber. In 1971, Idella, Glenn and family - who by then consisted of Duane, Garry, Sharon and Harold- purchased the farm that would become Walnut Hill Farm in Buckland, MA. At first Idella worked at Phoenix Ins., Glenn worked for Ted Wolf and J.A. Jones Bear Swamp Pump Storage Project. On January 1, 1974 Walnut Hill Dairy Farm was started with 12 cows. Son Duane came back to farm in the late 70’s and by the time the farm was sold in 2008, over 250 milking cows and over 2000 gallons of milk was being shipped. The next three years barn space was rented out and corn was raised and sold for silage. In 2012 Ben Hay rented the farm and on October 15, 2015 he purchased the farm. In 1994 Idella and Glenn purchased a winter home on Lake Henderson in Inverness, FL. Many great days were spent fishing off the dock and boating on the lakes of central Florida. He loved spending time between Inverness and Buckland with his family, grandchildren, great grandchildren, fishing, boating and the two great hobbies and pastime of wood turning and building models of the great sailing ships of the past.

Survivors include son Duane (Pat) Schmidt of Buckland, MA, son Garry (Cindi) Schmidt of Winchester, NH, daughter Sharon (Chris) Record of Buckland, brother Bruce Schmidt of Davidson, NC, his dear companion in later years Rita Taker, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Glenn was predeceased by his wife Idella on July 12, 2012, son Harold in 1984 and sister Lenore in 2021.

Glenn’s family would like to thank Lila Tuxbury, Holly Mae Brown, Deb Scott, Bobby Smith, Gordy and Sue Boucher, Suzanne Boucher, Dr. Richard Warner and staff, Pioneer Valley Hospice & Palliative Care, and American Benefits Group for their caring and support during this time.

Services will be announced in the spring.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests the Tunnel to Towers Foundation or Pioneer Valley Hospice & Palliative Care.

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