WESTFIELD – Henry Marcel Schmidt (Marcel), 90, (1932 – 2022) passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at Baystate Medical Center after a 
brief illness. He was an active 90-year-old daily exercising at Planet Fitness and having lunch at The Summer House. He was born in Pittsfield, MA to the late Henry and Phoebe (Hodecker) Schmidt. He was a drummer and played basketball growing up in Westfield schools. He served his country proudly in the United States Army from 1952-1954 during Korea. He attained the rank of Corporal and received the Bronze Star. He was in the 7th Infantry Division and honored by the King of Ethiopia for service alongside the Kagnew Battalion from the Imperial Ethiopian Army. Henry was a proud Rotarian and multiple Paul Harris Fellow recipient along with receiving numerous Service above Self Awards. Marcel additionally served for 30 years on the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Committee and was a Rotary Assistant Governor. He was the first Lieutenant Governor for Rotary District 7890 and actively involved in district and internal Rotary Conferences. A highlight of Marcel’s rotary experience was his service work in Haiti at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital. Henry was also a 60-year member of Mt. Moriah Lodge of Masons in Westfield and a longtime member of United Commercial Travelers (UCT686). Henry enjoyed camping, was an avid boater and water skier, and loved sport cars. He enjoyed and visiting Wilmington, VT, Washington State and Morocco. Henry was a devoted member and current deacon of the UCC Second Congregational Church in Westfield. He was employed as a printer/graphic designer and started his career at Anderson and Sons in Westfield and retired from Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception in Stockbridge.
Sadly, Henry was predeceased by his stepson Glenn Cardinal, a sister Dorothy Harris, niece Debbie Haskell and best friends Lester Densmore and Gaylord Hunt.
He is survived by his daughter Heidi Cote, his grandson Dustin Cote, former son-in-law Tryon Cote, a nephew David Harris, a niece Sharon Blanchard, best friend Vin Marinaro and his former wife, Gabriella Schmidt.
A Funeral Home Service will be held on Thursday at 6 PM in the Firtion Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad St., Westfield, MA. Visiting hours will precede the service from 4-6 PM in the funeral home.
Donations in Henry’s name may be directed to the UCC 2ndCongragational Church, 487 Western Ave., Westfield, MA 01085 or to The Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Dr., Chicago, Ill 60693 or The Rotary Foundation c/o 911600 P.O. Box 4090 STN A, Toronto, ON, M5W 039, Canada. Please visit www.firtionadams.com for livestream link.
