Schmittberger, Henry

Henry G. Schmittberger, 88, of East Haddam, passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at his home. He was born in Woodside, NY, son of the late Joseph and Anna (Seedorf) Schmittberger. While in Woodside, he lived above the bar and grill that his parents owned. During the summers he spent his time at his Aunt Elsie's in East Haddam Connecticut, where eventually he moved at age 13. In eighth and ninth grade he would ride his bike from E.H. Colchester Tpke. to Mt. Parnassus Rd in order to milk cows and bail hay on the Harris farm. He worked gathering lumber which was used for railroad ties for the railroad, now known as Goodspeed Station. During his junior and senior years of high school, he worked at Pear's Meat Market where he would make deliveries and wait on customers. He graduated in 1952 from Nathan Hale Ray High School and he went directly into the Air Force. He did his basic training at Samson Air Force Base in Syracuse, New York. He went to aircraft and engine school in Wichita, Texas, and went to Donaldson Air Force Base in South Carolina where he worked on C-119 Troop Carriers. He then went to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland where he was a Crew Chief for a team testing L20s. He also transported the wounded from the base to the hospitals in Washington D.C. He then went to Ardmore Air Force Base in Oklahoma. In June of 1956, Henry was honorably discharged from the Air Force. He then went to Pratt and Whitney where he worked on a specialized team with high-security clearance researching engines that could fly without landing for refueling. After that, he went on to an experimental department testing sheet metal. Henry then went to the East Haddam post office where he worked for 29 years as a carrier and clerk. Henry was a member of the East Haddam Fire Department for 53 years and also a member of the American Legion and Moodus Sportsman Club. He was a communicant of St. Bridget of Kildare Church. He was also involved in Little League as an assistant coach while his children played baseball. For years he was a member of the Moodus Drum and Fife Corps.

Henry is survived by his sons, Robert Schmittberger and his wife Sharon of East Haddam, William Schmittberger and his wife Sharon of East Haddam, Donald Schmittberger and partner CJ from Georgia, grandchildren Lindsay Gowac and her husband Keith, Janelle Schmittberger, Lauren Schmittberger, great grandson Henry Gowac, as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Joseph.

His Funeral Liturgy will be held on Saturday, March, 12, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St. Middletown. Friends may gather prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30. Burial with military honors will follow at Town Street Cemetery, East Haddam. Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 11th from 5 to 7 p.m. at Biega Funeral Home. Those who wish may send memorial contributions to East Haddam Vol. Fire Department P.O. Box 375 East Haddam, CT 06423, or, American Legion Post 156 PO Box 100 Moodus, CT 06469. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com