June 25, 1932 - December 20, 2019
Lou Schmidt passed away on December 20, 2019 at the age of 87 years in his home at Brock Fahrni in Vancouver. Born in Island Falls (Sandy Bay), Saskatchewan on June 25, 1932 by parents Margaret "Maggie" (nee Morin) and Joseph Pantaleon Schmidt.
He is survived by his 3 daughters: Louisa Cromar, Laura (Rick) Matthews, and Lee Schmidt. He is also survived by grandchildren; Evan, Jennifer and Chad Cromar, Chloe and Jaylene Matthews, great grandson Scotty Lambert, siblings; Joseph Schmidt, Henry Cook, Madeline Mousseau and June Bernard; his son Chris Ratt, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Lisa.
The family moved to Flin Flon, Manitoba in 1941 where Lou was active in sports, especially boxing, hockey and swimming, in which he excelled and coached others. At the age of 21, Lou left his job as a brakeman conductor with HBMS to enlist in 1954. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy for 10 years (5 years active, 5 years emergency) on ships including the HMCS Crescent and Stettler, in 1958 on the Second Canadian Escort Squadron. He competed in the 1954 British Empire Trials in boxing, receiving the Welterweight title. He was honourably released from the Navy in 1964 with the rank of Leading Seaman (LSRP1).
Lou was a bar manager and bartender by profession, a Unite Here Local 40 member, a Commissionaire at Lion's Gate Hospital, and resident building manager for Vancouver Native Housing Elders' building. He will be remembered for his service with the National Aboriginal Veteran's Association, serving as B.C.'s Aboriginal Director and Padre, strengthening connections with the Chinese Canadian Veterans and receiving the Golden Jubilee Medal in Ottawa in 2002. He served on the Board of Directors of the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society and volunteered with the Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Services Community Council Forums where he "brought his great gifts of kindness, wisdom, sense of humour, and his wonderful smile to each forum." He was a member of the Our Elders Speak Wisdom Group and received the Vancouver City Award of Excellence for his community service. He was a member of the Vancouver Odd Fellow in his later years.
Lou will be buried on Friday, December 27, 2019 at 11 am at Maclure Road Mennonite Cemetery, followed by funeral service at 1 pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 2310 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford. There will also be a gathering at Billy Bishop Legion, 1407 Laburnum Street, Vancouver at 5 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Union Gospel Mission in his memory would be appreciated.
Online condolences to the family may be made at: www.woodlawnfh-abbotsford.com
Woodlawn Funeral Home 604-853-2643.
Woodlawn Funeral Home