Edward J. €Œed” Schmidt, Jr.

Edward J. "Ed" Schmidt, Jr., 78 of Bluffton, SC and formerly of Sarasota, FL died Monday, May 5, 2014. Mr. Schmidt was born in Baltimore, MD on September 14, 1935, the son of the late Edward J. Schmidt, Sr. and Jeannette Chason Schmidt. He began his formal education at the University of Maryland where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. Prior to graduating he was drafted into the United States Army and following his military tenure, returned to complete his degree. He continued his education at the University of Baltimore, where he earned a degree in law. Ed was a longtime resident of Sarasota, FL where he worked in trust and estate banking. Mr. Schmidt was active in the community his entire life including serving as president and a long-time board member of The Lighthouse for the Blind of Manasota--plus holding leadership positions in Historic Spanish Pointe, Venice Hospital Foundation, Florida Bar Association Sarasota County-Grievance Committee, Estate Planning Council of Sarasota County and volunteering with Sarasota Hospital and Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Mr. Schmidt is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Mildred "Millie" Schmidt; daughters, Stacy Hartis (Tom) of Raleigh, NC and Sally Schmidt of New York, NY; and grandchildren, Jack and Sydney Hartis. A private service for the immediate family will be held at a later date. The family would like to express their gratitude to the Hope Lodge in Charleston, SC for the care that was extended to them and the comfort they received in their "home away from home". In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Carol Grotnes Belk Campus - Charleston, 269 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401. A private service for the immediate family will be held at a later date.