Ronald C. Schmitz

       Ronald Carl Schmitz passed away peacefully on November 2, 2023 at the age of 78.  Ron Schmitz was the son of the late Carl & Eleanor (Grieshammer) Schmitz.  He was married to Catherine (DiTommaso) Schmitz, the love of his life and soulmate, for 56 years.  Together they raised their two children Tara & Ronnie.  Besides his wife and children, he is survived by his son-in-law John Gatta, daughter-in-law Krista Schmitz, and his four grandchildren Lia, Danny, Kaitlyn & Kyle.  
       Ron was a loving and supportive father, always bestowing knowledge, giving advice, being there for all family activities, and forever offering support.  He extended that same love of family to his four grandchildren, always asking how they were and what they were up to, attending every sporting event and occasion possible, and cheering louder and more opinionated than the other grandparents.
       Ron was a dedicated and selfless man who devoted much of his life to helping his surrounding community including Saint Ann's Parish in Cranston, the Diocese of Providence, the Boy Scouts of America, the Rhode Island Artisans, and countless others.  He was also an avid freshwater fisherman who loved spending time in the lakes, rivers and streams of Rhode Island.
       A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design in 1967, Ron expressed his artistry throughout his life through different mediums. Ron had a passion for nautical history & lighthouses, of which he photographed and painted the numerous lighthouses around New England. Ron truly enjoyed meeting customers and learning about their connections with the lighthouse in every painting he commissioned. His eyes would light up as he shared their stories with his family.  Ron also performed in local theatrical groups, including the North Kingstown Community Players and the Cranston Community Theater, performing in various performances such as the Pirates of Penzance, The King & I, Oklahoma and numerous Broadway reviews.  

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday November 6, 2023 at 11:00am in St. Matthew Church (corner of Park and Elmwood Avenues) Cranston. Burial will follow in St. Ann Cemetery Cranston.  Visitation will be held on Monday morning prior to the funeral Mass beginning at 8:30am in The Butterfield Chapel 500 Pontiac Avenue Cranston. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Rose Island Lighthouse and Fort Hamilton Trust.      https://roseisland.org/