Obituary of LeRoy W. Schoonmaker

EAST BERNE - LeRoy Wellington Schoonmaker Jr., 82, passed away peacefully Friday, September 24th, 2021. LeRoy, “Sonny”, was born in West Berne, New York on June 15th, 1939 to the late LeRoy Wellington Schoonmaker Sr. and Ina (Cook) Schoonmaker. He was predeceased by his parents and a son, Craig Gordon, who died at birth. LeRoy graduated from Berne-Knox-Westerlo in 1957 and married his high school sweetheart. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1963, serving in Germany where he transported Pershing Missiles. After his service, LeRoy and Barb settled back into their hometown in the Helderbergs, where they raised five children. LeRoy was a mechanic for many years and retired from the Town of Bethlehem DPW in 1999. LeRoy enjoyed many hobbies. He loved tending his garden but did not like the weeds, mice, and cattle that tried to take residence there. Many people admired his garden and his children were drafted to plant, weed and harvest the bounty. LeRoy was an expert marksman from his army days. He enjoyed hunting in his early years, and in his later years used this skill to keep squirrels at bay from the bird feeders. Local walleye, bass, and perch feared him on his many fishing trips with family and good friends. As a sports enthusiast, LeRoy enjoyed educating his wife in Nascar, college, and professional basketball. Sunday mornings he could be found worshiping at Westerlo Baptist Church. He loved to spend time with his family. Whether it was at his house, on vacation, birthdays, sporting events, or concerts he enjoyed it all. To his family and the many generations of his wife’s daycare he will always be “Papa.” He is survived by his loving wife, with whom he shared 60 years of marriage, Barbara (Brayman) Schoonmaker, his three sisters: Mary Lou Burby, Patricia (Jay) Lindsley, and Kathy Packard. His five children: Barry (Paula) Schoonmaker, Kelly (Tom) Mitchell, Richard Schoonmaker, Missey (Dave) Schrader, and Cindy (Matt) Williams. 10 grandchildren: Marc Evan Weidman, Emily (Jeremy) Bernhardt, Lydia Schoonmaker, Bethany (Andrew) Fishman, Collin Peragine, Derek Schoonmaker, Paul Mitchell, James Mitchell, Grace Peragine, and Gavin Reed. One great-grandchild, Melody Fishman, and a second great-grandchild on the way to Grace Peragine. Calling hours will be Thursday, September 30th from 4 to 7 p.m. at A. J. Cunningham Funeral Home in Greenville. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 3rd at 4 pm at the First Baptist Church of Westerlo, 618 State Route 143, Westerlo. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to The First Baptist Church of Westerlo, P.O. Box 130, Westerlo, NY 12193, or the Capital City Rescue Mission, 259 South Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12202. Condolence page is available at ajcunninghamfh.com.