Kenneth Schmitt

Kenneth F. Schmitt of Madison, Wisconsin, died peacefully on May 15, 2021. He was born in 1927 in Madison to Carol (Docken) Schmitt and Kenneth F. Schmitt, Sr., where he later learned to sail on Lake Mendota with his brother, David T. Schmitt. Ken graduated from Wisconsin High before serving in the Navy from 1946 – 1947. He attended the University of Wisconsin and graduated from Northwestern Dental School. He was an Associate Professor at the Dental School for many years and later Director of Scientific Programs at the Chicago Dental Society.

Ken loved sailing – on the Brigantine Yankee with Captain Irving Johnson, Chicago – Mackinac races, Bermuda races, the North Channel of Lake Huron, out of Wilmette Harbor on Lake Michigan, sailing across the Atlantic Ocean and on his Ketch, “Un Bel Di.”

Kenneth Schmitt
Kenneth Schmitt

Ken was predeceased by his brother Dave and is survived by his son David Schmitt, daughter Deborah Carlson (Greg), daughter Barbara Perce (Hyde), grandchildren, Erik Schmitt (Rachel), Michael Schmitt (Elizabeth), Henry Carlson, Clara Carlson, Morgan Perce, Grant Perce and great grandchildren, Charlotte Schmitt, Bowden Schmitt and Bastiaan Schmitt as well as beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Robert Adamczyk

P/C Robert Adamczyk, JN, passed away on Father’s Day, June 20, 2021. Bob was with his wife, Jeannine, and his daughters Cynthia, Wendy and Lori at his bedside.

Bob served as commander in 2010 and was currently the administrative officer; he was a good friend and faithful, proud member of the Chicago Sail & Power Squadron (America’s Boating Club of Chicago). -Janice M. North

Neil Thomas

Neil Robert Thomas, husband and father, passed away at the age of 94 on May 29, 2021. He was born in New Rochelle, New York, son of Ruth Marion Eklund and grandson of Joseph and Sarah McNeill.

Neil graduated from FE Bellows High School, enlisted US Maritime Service, left as second class seaman. In 1945, he joined Esso, and voyaged on their ships to Europe, the Mediterranean, and coastline of the Americas. On returning to land in 1951, he went to work for American Cyanamid, retiring in 1983. In 1952, he married his beloved Ruth Edna (Schmaus) Thomas in Mount Vernon, New York. With employment in Connecticut, Neil and Ruth made their home in Greenwich.

Neil was drawn by the sea and so the Thomas navy had many fine vessels: S-boat, a 27-foot Herreshoff, on which Neil brought Ruth for cruises on Long Island Sound, that being Ruth’s introduction to sailing and the incentive for a sympathetic friend to gift Ruth a copy of the book “I Married a Boat” on their first anniversary; Escape, the wooden lifeboat Neil decked to make a racing cruiser; Aeolus, a 19-foot Flying Scot for racing; Caprice, a 26-foot classic Quincy Adams for racing; Gannet, a 30-foot Etchells for racing; Cryogenic, a 10-foot Dyer for winter racing; an unnamed Sunfish for a few seasons; Jibe-ho, the 36-foot trawler in which Neil and Ruth cruised the eastern seaboard and waterways from Canada to the Caribbean with a trusting cat along as passenger.

Neil joined the U.S. Power Squadron 1952, was a member of Greenwich Sail & Power Squadron for 62 years and achieved the rank of Junior Navigator. He was a member of the Old Greenwich Boat Club, and the Riverside Yacht Club.

Neil was predeceased by Ruth; they are buried together next to his grandparents in Bronxville, New York. Ruth and Neil are survived by their children, Karen Varbaro and Neil R Thomas Jr.

Share this Story

Joseph Domsic

P/CJoseph T. Domsic Jr. passed away on Thursday, May 27, 2021 in his home following an illness. He was born on November 11, 1957 in Chicago Heights, IL, to the late Joseph and Marguerite (Watts) Domsic Sr., and was 63 years old at the time of his death.

Joe Domsic

Joe Domsic

Joe was a retired supervisor with I/N Tek in New Carlisle. On October 25, 1980 he married the love of his life, Diana White, in Portage, IN. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Walkerton, the United States Power Squadron where he also served as commander for several years, and a past member of the United Steel Workers Union.

Joe is survived by his loving wife Diana of Walkerton; two sons Thomas Domsic of Walkerton and Matthew (Amber) Domsic of Valparaiso; one brother Michael (Teresa) Domsic; and two sisters Eileen (Jack) Stachler and Elizabeth (Donald) Baier. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at the Rannells Funeral Home, Koontz Lake Chapel. A visitation was also held Wednesday, also at the funeral home. With Joe’s love of boating the family requested that everyone wear Hawaiian shirts to the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Center for Hospice. To leave online condolences visit rannellsfh.com.

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store. Published in South Bend Tribune on May 30, 2021.

Share this Story

Robert Marshall

P/C Robert T. Marshall, 88, of Southport Island, Maine, formerly of Yarmouth, Maine, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2021.

Robert grew up in Portland, the son of John and Evelyne Marshall. He graduated from Deering High School and the University of Maine in Orono. He was a proud member of Sigma Chi. He retired as vice president of J.J. Nissen Baking Company in Portland, Maine.

He was well known in the boating circles, he captained his boat Cygnet from Waterloo, New York to Casco Bay. The coast of Maine continued to be his cruising area. He was a commander of the Casco Bay Power Squadron, a member of Wawenock Power Squadron, and a past commodore of the Down East Yacht Club.

Robert is survived by his wife, Joyce Swan Marshall.

Share this Story

Mel Faust

Mel Faust

Mel Faust

Lt/C Mel Faust, N, was the Executive Officer of the Jones Beach Power Squadron when he passed away suddenly May 27, 2015. As a retired New York City Police Officer, his illness was related and a result from Ground Zero exposure during the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center in NYC. Mel’s name is listed under “First Responders” and etched on the granite walls of The 911 Memorial at Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY. His funeral was attended by many members of USPS as well as the New York City Police Department. Several NYC Police officers in full dress uniform were pallbearers. He received an honor guard salute.

Mel grew up on Long Island and was a long time resident of Lindenhurst, NY. Mel was an active member of USPS. He was always there to lend a hand. A versatile member, Mel was the JBPS web master, editor of the JBPS “Gudgeon & Pintle,” & a VSC examiner, just to name a few. He won a JBPS cook-off with his famous chicken wings recipe. An avid fisherman, boater, and NASCAR fan, he is survived by his wife Julie, son Michael, and a large extended family. He will be truly missed.

Share this Story

Douglas Nelson

Mountain climber, jazz musician, history buff, gentleman farmer, celestial navigator, captain, father, husband, and general rogue, Douglas F. Nelson was born in Bolton, England, and passed away in Florence, Alabama, after a brief battle with cancer.

He is survived by his beloved wife Malva (Molly), his two children Jamie (Meadow Caya), Marissa (Dave Budge), grandson Destin Beneteau Nelson, sister Diana Roberts (Michael) their son Alastair, his three stepchildren, Chelsea Mcclung (Barry), Chip Hittson, Brian Hittson and their children, Molly McClung, Adelaide Hittson, Harker Hittson. For more, please see elkinsfuneralhome.com.

Share this Story