Obituary of Rev. Charles R. Schmitt

Port Allegany – Rev. Charles R. Schmitt, 89, of, Port Allegany, passed away Tuesday (January 26, 2021) at UPMC-Hamot in Erie, PA.

 Father Schmitt was born Sept. 10, 1931, in Erie, the son of the late Frank and Beatrice Frank Schmitt. A native of St. Peter Cathedral parish, he attended Lincoln Grade School and Academy High School, both in Erie. Upon his graduation from high school, Father Schmitt was employed in the billing office of Erie Concrete and Steel Supply Co.Inc.

He went on to study at St. Mary's Seminary and the University in Baltimore, where he earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1955 and a bachelor's degree in sacramental theology in 1957.  After being ordained May 7, 1959 he was assigned to St. Andrews Parish of Erie where he began his priesthood.  His assignments during his fifty plus years of service included, but were not limited to, Immaculate Conception in Erie, Mercyhurst University, St. Gabriel in Port Allegheny, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Erie and St. Michaels in Emlenton from which he officially retired in 2013. One of his most cherished accomplishments was the co-founding of Perseus House, a group home in Erie for youths in need of behavioral support. During his retired years he continued conducting funerals, weddings and addiction counseling when needed, often traveling great distances in bad weather in the central and northern Pennsylvania region.

"Chuck" loved good art, good music and great food and made every effort to include friends, relatives and colleagues in his endeavor to enjoy.  He was an avid reader and continued his study of liturgy and God's messages until his death.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, James D. Schmitt and Eugene Schmitt, and his sister Margaret Ann Hoyt.

He is survived by his four nieces and a nephew, Kathleen (Cole) Stearns of Fairview, PA, Karen (Mark) Roberts of N. Palm Beach Fl., Beth (Chuck) Przybyszewski of Harborcreek, PA, Susan Kayser of Cupertino, CA and Eric Schmitt of Nashville, Tenn.  

There will be no visitation.

A Mass and Christian Burial will be held at a later date that will be announced

Burial will be in the St. Gabriel’s Cemetery, Port Allegany

Memorials if desired may be made to St. Gabriel’s Church, 203 Arnold Ave, Port Allegany, PA 16743

Perseus House, 1511 Peach St, Erie Pa, 16501

Port Allegany Fire Department, 65 Maple St, Port Allegany, PA 16743

Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com 

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Port Allegany.