Peter Schemly

Peter Schemly, age 71 of Wayne, died on Thursday, November 5, 2020.  He has lived in Packanack Lake in Wayne since 1978.

Peter was born in Bielefeld, Germany and his family came to America in 1950, while he was just a small baby.  He grew up in Little Falls and graduated from Passaic Valley High School before being drafted into the U.S. Army.  The Vietnam War was winding down at this time, and he was fortunate to avoid combat service.  After being discharged, he started working for NJ Bell Telephone, climbing telephone poles.  He advanced to become a software specialist, programming phone systems, and eventually retired from Avaya Technologies.  Peter was not one to sit still and he soon started his own company, Schemly, LLC, providing telecomm software support services for his clients.  Novartis was among his largest clients, and he made many friends there.  Pete would still be working today if he could.

Peter was a true family man and enjoyed living in Packanack Lake.  Raising his kids there, he became involved with Boy Scouts.  He was Scout Master of Troop 104 for many years, leading expeditions to Philmont, New Mexico and Sea Base in the Florida Keys. Peter was particularly proud that both of his sons became Eagle Scouts. Peter was especially devoted to his grandkids. “Pop-Pop Peter,” as many of them called him, loved spending every minute possible with his six grandchildren. Summer vacations at Long Beach Island, NJ, were always memorable, where he would gather with his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren.  Anytime he visited with his grandchildren, also meant visiting with his grand-dogs too!  Peter would arrive with dog treats in his pockets, and the dogs knew they were going to be spoiled whenever he came to visit.  Peter enjoyed boating and always kept his Pontoon Boat on Greenwood Lake.  He also liked to golf and he has a closet filled with at least three sets of old clubs, balls, shoes, and a large assortment of golfing paraphernalia that would be the envy of any golfer.

Peter was married to his wife, Janis, for thirty-two years.  They met at Montclair State College and married on April 19, 1975.  In 1978, they purchased their home in Packanack Lake. They were a very close couple, and they did everything together. When children came along, they simply grew closer to one another, and included the kids in all their activities. Sadly, after thirty-two years of marriage, Janis became ill and passed away in 2007. This was a difficult time for Peter, but as grandchildren began to arrive in his life, they brought him a new purpose. His grandchildren were everything to him, and he loves them all very dearly.  They will all miss him.

Peter is survived by his four children; Thomas Schemly and his wife Susan of Wayne, Nancy L’Heureux and her husband Charles of Wyckoff, Douglas Schemly and his wife Cinzia of Washington Township and Alyssa Zimmerly and her husband David of Wayne, and six grandchildren; Hailey and Kayla of Wayne, Ava and Luke of Wyckoff and Nicholas and Ryan of Washington Township, his sister; Vera Schemly of Little Falls.  He was predeceased by his wife, Janis, in 2007.  

Peter would enjoy having some flowers at his funeral, but if friends would prefer to make a donation in his memory, please consider either the Veterans Administration New Jersey Health Care System, www.newjersey.va.gov/giving/index.asp, or Susan G. Komen, ww5.komen.org.