JOHN DWIGHT SCHMITT

Condolences & Memories (17 entries)

• To John's family and friends; I agree with all that has already been shared in these tributes. John had a way to find your groove and worked within that, with ease and poise. Our conversations were numerous, brief but meaningful, touching on the personal. My welding skills are now being passed on to guys working through addictions. John's influence is like a ripple in the water; no telling where it will enter someone else's life. Thank you John. - Posted by: Robert (Evening welding student) on: Jun 20, 2025

• I'm upset I will not be able to make the celebration of life tonight. I owe my livelihood to this man, the things he taught me I still use to this day. Its not going to be the same without seeing him around the neighborhood. Will never be forgotten - Posted by: Trevor Nilsson (Former student) on: Jun 19, 2025

• We've lost a good one - he will be missed by everyone who knew him! - Posted by: Dawn (Friend) on: Jun 19, 2025

• Rest in peace, John. Your laugh will always be remembered as will the way you treated your students and taught them so much, not just how to weld. Condolences to your family, friends, and colleagues. - Posted by: Dorothy Young (Colleague) on: Jun 14, 2025

• John and I taught for many years at Sturgeon. He also taught for me in the Continuing Education program.. In fact I participated twice in his evening welding course. There I experience first hand how dedicated he was to the adult participants. I also witnessed this with his day students. John cared for his students inside and outside of class time. Forty five years is an amazing career. - Posted by: Brian Head (Colleague) on: Jun 14, 2025

• I will never forget John’s laugh or the positive impact he had on his students. He passed on while doing what he loved best. Rest in Peace. - Posted by: Dorothy Young (Colleague) on: Jun 14, 2025

• Two of the best teachers and role models I had in High School; Mr. Negovan and Mr. Schmidt. Yes, they were teachers, but they taught me so much more. They made connections with kids, made them feel like they mattered and they put kids on a good path for life when others may have not been able to. It’s been almost 40 years since I went to school there, but would see John and we’d have a quick chat that always ended with his infamous and infectious laugh. Rest in peace, John and thank you from me and thousands like me. - Posted by: Christopher Mead (Student) on: Jun 14, 2025

• Mr. Schmitt was my teacher when I went to Sturgeon, and is majority the reason I became a welder. He had that one of a kind laugh that I still remember to this day. When I was going to school I had a hard time going to class on time or even at all, he noticed this and made me a bet. He said if I made it to class on time and every day he would give me $200 dollars. We shook on it and off I went. I did what was asked and he in turn gave me the vocational diploma in welding, which had a $200 grant that went with it. The sly guy kept his end and I am forever grateful for it. He helped show me to always show up and always be there. There are many other memories I have in the short time that I was his student, but this one stands out the most. He was a one of a kind guy and I'll miss him. My condolences go out to his friends and family, he is missed greatly, and he was a legend. - Posted by: Chris Stovold (Former Student) on: May 30, 2025

• Mr Schmitt made my high school years very memorable. He let us play our music. Taught us more then welding. He truly cared. Thanks for everything. - Posted by: Dennis Hildebrand (Student) on: May 29, 2025

• What can I say about Schmitty if you already knew him. He was a larger than life caricature. I got to know Schimitty at a young adult stage of our lives. I'll Never forget Schmitty racing around Silver heights on his Kawasaki 3 cylinder 550 at who knows how fast. No one will forget his laugh. - Posted by: Paul Tilley (Friend) on: May 27, 2025

• My condolences to Schmitty's family. I am thankful to John for all of his kindness and for all the special projects. - Posted by: Linda Callaway (Colleague) on: May 26, 2025

• John, never thought for one minute you would be leaving us all so soon. Our last convo was me teasing you that a couple of us needed to get you out for your recent birthday. Your reply: "all I need is your friendship". 💔❤️‍🩹 You most certainly had that and the loss of you, your gestures, kindness, thoughtfulness, generous nature & that awesome sense of humour & giggle will live on in all of us that had the gifted time of knowing you & being blessed by your care. The one & only SCHMITTY 🙏 Fly free & forever smiling, my good friend. - Posted by: Lee-Anne Forsberg (Buddies & family friend for many years!) on: May 26, 2025

• The amount of memories Mr. Schmitt helped make when I was in Sturgeon Creek Collegiate could fill a few chapters. From the pig roasts to the projects we helped make to the shenanigans we all got after in his class. If you made him laugh you knew you were safe and man his laugh was something iconic. Everyone who heard it knows what I'm talking about. The Schmitty giggle. My sincere condolences to his whole family. I will forever be thankful for having a teacher like him. R.i.p. Schmitty. - Posted by: Kyle-Jon Muth (Past Student) on: May 25, 2025

• John was our friend and neighbour at the Lake. We could always depend on him if we got ourselves into a pinch. His Lake lore was second to none. Truly a memorable character. Glad we got to visit with him last summer. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him. Our deepest condolences to you Joe and your family and friends. Grant and Karen Hemmerling - Posted by: Grant Hemmerling (Friend) on: May 24, 2025

• We will miss you Smitty, your smile and the impact you have had on your students for almost half a century. You always had a joke every time we passed in the halls so in tribute to you: "Why do welders make terrible comedians? Because their jokes always stick!" - you will always stick with me Smitty, in my memories, rest well my friend. - Posted by: Lawrence Wachs (Friend and Colleague) on: May 24, 2025

• Schmitty was an old and dear friend who held a special place in my heart. We shared many unforgettable moments during our school days, and though life took us in different directions, the memories have remained with me. One of my fondest recollections is the time we reunited in Vancouver. We took an adventurous trip to the mountains and explored the beauty of Vancouver Island together. I’ll never forget the day we boarded the ferry to the island, only to discover we didn’t have enough money for the return trip. In true Schmitty fashion, we turned the situation into a memorable adventure, selling some of our belongings to raise the fare. It was a testament to our friendship, spontaneity, and the joy we found in each other’s company. Schmitty’s spirit and laughter will be greatly missed, but the memories we created will forever remain in my heart. - Posted by: Patrick O'Toole (Old Friend) on: May 24, 2025

• RIP John. I knew John for many years, we rode our Kawasakis back in the 70's together numerous times. I can still hear his laugh. - Posted by: Dave Carpick (Friend) on: May 24, 2025