Alfred Arthur Schmitz, of Avon, Classic Car Enthusiast

Alfred Arthur Schmitz, 84 of Avon, passed away on Jan. 8, 2013 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Al was born into a large family of 10 children in Cleveland on Oct. 24, 1928 and graduated from Fairview High School.

He was a devoted husband of 57 years and is survived by his wife Donna Mae (nee Ware). During their marriage, Al and Donna have lived in Olmsted Falls, Parma, Olmsted Township and Avon. Al was also a proud father of four: Pamela LaGorga of Avon, James (Julia) of Troy MI; John (Christina) of Houston, TX and Paul of Atlanta, GA. Other survivors include 9 grandchildren and a great-grandson.

After high school, Al was drafted into the US Army and served proudly during the Korean War with the 101st Airborne Division. After the war, Al came back to Cleveland to start his family and began what would be a 35-year career with General Motors, working at the Chevrolet Plant on Brookpark Road.

Al was an active member of his churches, working on the summer festival at St. Mary of the Falls Church and volunteering where needed at St. Clarence Church. He also volunteered at the Brooklyn Hunger Center. Besides his family Al's greatest passion was classic cars which led him to volunteering at the Crawford Auto Museum and taking trips with Donna to car shows across the country. Al and Donna loved traveling and vacationed in Florida, South Carolina, Mexico, Hawaii, Texas and London, England.

Friends may call at the Busch Funeral Home 32000 Detroit Rd., Avon, Friday, Jan. 11, from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.  A prayer service will be at the funeral home Saturday at 9:15 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Clarence Church, 30106 North Olmsted at 10 a.m. Fr. Neil Walters, Associate Pastor of the church will officiate. Interment will be private at St. Joseph Cemetery, Avon.