Obituary of Edwin A Schmall

Mom lives with many senior citizens, and we need to protect them during this pandemic. Please wear a mask when you attend all services for Edwin! Thank you for understanding. Edwin Arthur Schmall October 12, 1929- October 6, 2021 Edwin was the only and dearly loved child of Albert and Frances Schmall; who emigrated from Germany and Canada respectively in the early 1920’s. Growing up in the depression, he learned to appreciate family and the simple things in life. He was a great student, and as a young boy would walk four miles, each way, to the closest Catholic school, where he would learn to cherish the Catholic traditions of his mother, Frances. With a sequence of significant scholarships, Ed attended Catholic high school (valedictorian), Northwestern University, and finally the University of Minnesota where he earned his PhD in chemistry with high honors. Following graduation Edwin found his way to the Bayway Refinery in Linden, New Jersey, where he would spend his entire career working for Esso/Exxon. As a brilliant research chemist, Edwin developed rocket fuels (12 patents) which would later be implemented in the early space program. He married the love of his life, Lea Azzolina, in 1960 and devoted himself to providing for his wife and three children. Although Edwin was a brilliant man, he was known more for his unfailing kindness and gentleness to all who crossed his path. Upon retirement, Edwin took up the hobby of wood carving and would carve year-round to give family and friends his carvings at Christmas. Edwin lived his whole life as a devout Catholic, and shared the love of Jesus with his family on a daily basis with his selfless and tender ways. He passed away peacefully on October 6, surrounded by his family, with “no regrets and no unfinished business”. He is survived by his wife, Lea, of 61 years, his three children, Laurie, Lynn, and Paul, and grandchildren Madeleine, Emma, Margot, Amelia, Matthew and Bridget. Visitation will be held on Monday, October, 11, 2021 at Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, 11:00am at St. James Church, 184 S. Finley Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Basking Ridge. For further information, or to leave an online condolence message please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com