John Schmittau

Longtime Staten Islander and devoted family man John Schmittau, 45, died Wednesday of pancreatic cancer in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay.

Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Schmittau relocated with his family to Tottenville in the mid-1970s. After graduating from Tottenville High School, he attended the College of Staten Island and began working for the city Sanitation Department in 1987. He retired earlier this year as a supervisor for Staten Island Brooklyn.

An athletic man, Mr. Schmittau played second base for a local softball league. He was also involved in his daughters' softball leagues, having coached their teams since 2001.

Mr. Schmittau also enjoyed the outdoors. He was known for planting a wide variety of flowers in his garden, his wife said. Above all else, he enjoyed spending time with his wife and daughters.

He was a parishioner of Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, Tottenville.

Surviving are his wife of 20 years, the former Denise Raschella; three daughters, Lauren, Kayla and Victoria; his sister, Susanne Schmittau, and his parents, John and Maryjane.

The funeral will Monday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady Help of Christians Church. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.

Services: Our Lady Help of Christian's RC Church Monday, December 3,2012 10:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Saturday, December 1,2012 & Sunday, December 2,2012 2-4 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Resurrection Cemetery (Staten Island)

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Our Lady Help of Christians R.C.Church