John P. Schultz

Granby - In Arab, Alabama on July 21, 1946 SGT. John Patrick Schultz took his first earthly breath. This created an altruistic effect in the Compendium of human events. On May 17, 2019 he took his last three breaths in Granby, Massachusetts before traveling to the next plane of existence. But don’t panic! He has his towel and will be welcomed at the gates with a gallon of wine and a steak dinner. Greeted by prior travelers, son Jason, parents Herman and Marzee Schultz, brothers William and Dudley, niece Erica, Linda’s sister’s Teresa Moore Toomey, Barbara Ouellette and her sons Michael & Christopher. Also greeting him cousins Leeann and Andrea and other family from Alabama and many adoring pets. Unable to journey with him, but knowing he will be reunited with those above are his wife of 48 years, Linda Schultz and son John, daughter Laura and Sgt. Jay Kinney, sister Jane Rege and Ken Mckay her partner and daughter Gina, mother in law Jeanne Moore, in-laws Carole Moore and Jack Nicholson, Kathy Moore and Chuck Ouimette, their children Staff SGT. CJ Ouimette, Rhea and daughter Mila, Kate Ouimette and Nick, Jim Toomey, Carole O’Malley, nephews Jonah & Elijah. Michael Ouellette & Julie & Jason Sniezek & sons, Billy and Vivian Van Kleeck and Marley, Lisa Crowley, Kate & Shawn Burdick, Neil (Van Kleeck), and Tommy, former coworkers, friends from Bakers Acres, great neighbors and those he served with. They will always smile when they think of him and wish him well in his journey knowing they will sit down to their favorite drink and dinner when they see him again. Sgt. Schultz graduated from Granby Jr. Sr. High School 1965 and Springfield Technical Community College in 1967. He was a volunteer member of Granby Fire Dept. He then took a government mandated vacation to the Republic of Vietnam in June '68-June ‘69 where he expanded his family serving in the United States Army. It was with integrity and loyalty he respected and was respected by all he worked with. He was a Huey Crew Chief in the 195 Assault Helicopter Company as a Thunder Chicken then a Ghost Rider. Sgt. Schultz was able to lift spirits and make the most of a mission that he never intended to go on, but was destined to be a part of. It is unfortunate that some he served with either never returned, left something behind, or unknowingly brought home a secret killer, Agent Orange. Repeated exposure caused much pain, suffering and ultimately early deaths too many. Upon return from war, Sgt. Schultz and his fellow service members were not greeted with open arms, nor the respect and condolences they deserved. John traded the uniform that signified his rank and last name for a new uniform in the private sector of the HVAC community. He was a well- respected service technician and manager for various companies such as Pittston Petroleum and Converse Carlisle. Always mechanically inclined and knowledgeable, he went from serving to educating those he worked with. He joined the Massachusetts National Guard in 1985 (until '91), as part of the SQDN 110 CAV at Westover AFB in Chicopee, Ma. In 1985 he met John Marran the founder of Energy Kinetics who not only hired him but became a close friend. John worked as Sales Rep for System 2000 for 25+ years in CT. and Western Mass until his retirement, due to a service-connected illness from exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He spent most of his retirement in and out of the hospital through a comedy of medical errors. In February 2019 surrounded by family he was made aware his tour here was short. He came home and all parties tried to ignore the pending departure. Nonetheless John probably handed his boarding pass at the gates to Saint Peter asking if he was in the right place. We know he is. He always said “You do for others who can’t do for themselves.” He was and will be-a prime example of this. Instead of flowers, family asks for a card with a memory you shared with John. We all have a "John story” or a promise for a special need you could help with! Thank you to Hospice nurse Kate and the respect for Veterans by Dana Dupuis from Baystate! Remember no matter how many times you do something, do it because it may be the first or last time you do it! Visitation is on Sunday July 21, 2019 from 1-3PM at New England Funeral and Cremation Center, LLC, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA. Family and friends are asked to gather Monday, July 22, 2019 at 8:30AM at New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC to process to the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery for burial with military honors. Please visit www.nefcc.net

John P. Schultz

July 21, 1946 - May 17, 2019