Edmund R. Scholz

Obituary

Edmund R. Scholz, (also known as “Jim”) 79, of New Smyrna Beach passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. He died peacefully, at home, just as he had wished. His wife, Marie, was by his side. Ed was born in Bayside, N.Y. on May 2, 1944 to Edmund and Vivian Scholz. His parents moved Ed and his older sister, Gayle, to Huntington, N.Y. while still in their youth.Upon graduating from Walt Whitman High School in 1962, Ed enlisted in the Army where he worked at The White House for President John F. Kennedy, then Vice President Hubert Humphrey as part of a team in White House Communications.After his discharge in 1965, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Advertising and worked for a short time as an insurance salesman. Ed then earned his Master’s Degree in Education and changed careers to become a school teacher — a job at which he was especially gifted. Part of his teaching career included teaching at his own childhood Elementary School. Newsday, L.I.’s main newspaper, did a story on him as the first male Kindergarten teacher on Long Island. During his tenure as a teacher, Ed earned a second Master’s Degree in Special Education before retiring in 1998 after nearly 30 years of inspiring the minds and imaginations of his students.Ed would often tell anecdotes about his numerous and diverse occupations: in high school he worked as a clammer and a bellhop, in college he earned money as a tennis pro at the local Tennis Club. Later on he was a cemetery salesman at Pinelawn, owned a successful tile business, then owned and operated his own restaurant. Working with his hands was something he took great pleasure in and throughout his lifetime he bought and renovated many houses, the first of which was a boathouse he rebuilt with his father on the waterfront in Northport, NY.But perhaps most telling of his character was his love and care for animals. He was raised as a devout animal lover and rescued dozens of animals over the years. Father Murray, the priest at nearby church Our Lady Star of the Sea, nicknamed Ed “St. Francis” as he knew the name of every dog walking through his neighborhood and was always ready with a treat and lots of love.In his later years, Ed became an avid golfer. And when he wasn’t soaking up sun at the beach, or playing golf with his son — playing the piano brought him great joy. He was a beloved good-timer, and could often be found with martini in hand, telling stories and trading jokes until the end. He will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved his vivacious spirit and spark for living.Ed is survived by his wife, Marie, son Steve, daughter-in-law Catherine and granddaughter Aquinnah. He and Marie were planning to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary on February 17th.Ed did not want a service, but there will be a burial on Tuesday, February 20th at Sea Pines in Edgewater at 1pm with his immediate family.