Toughness should always be measured against gentleness and compassion. The oils of the sacraments are meant to make us supple and never brittle. Like the leather baseball mitt that we were given as kids from Dads who scrimped to make the purchase, our lives only endure when we apply the oils and massage our hearts and wrap them in good works and intentions. The softer the soul, heart and head, the tougher the person becomes able to take the shocks and hard ground.
Jerry Schumacher is one of the toughest person's I know. He has gone home to Christ oiled and tested -gentle and sweet.
Jerry is a couple of years my senior and eons my superior in wisdom, grace and compassion. Eternity will be a very short journey for Jerry.
He was a giant whose legendary athleticism never allowed the mistaken notion that toughness was all about doing unto others with cruelty. Jerry never boasted - he didn't need to; he never bullied- he never needed to; he never listened to gossip, or bad-mouthing of other people -that he never needed.
Jerry loved deeply.
Jerry was too tough a man to ever shout out, " How You Like Me Now?"
Pygmies are prone to that statement. Pygmies and little kids playing at tough guy.
His biography is impressive with accomplishments. His life was so much more. I never once heard Jerry Schumacher utter an unkindness, much less do a cruel or selfish thing to any person.
His kindness mortifies my own thoughtlessness.
Jerry's welcoming boom of a voice and open palms fill out God's starting line-up.
God Bless Us with some men like Jerry Schumacher; we ain't that tough anymore.
He was a graduate of Mount Carmel High School, where he won a Prep Bowl Championship on 1967, and of the University of Michigan. While at playing football at Michigan he was part of a Big 10 and Rose Bowl winning team.
He was later inducted into the Chicago Catholic League and Mount Carmel High School halls of fame. Mt. Schumacher went on to teach at Gordon Tech High School from 1974 to 1978. He was a member of Local 150.
Mr. Schumacher was the son of the late James and Kathleen nee McInerney, fond son-in-law of the late Chuck and Marge Miller.
He is survived by his wife Cathy nee Miller and children Karen (Shawn) Finnin, Katie (Michael) Cawley, Jerry Jr. and Brian (Emily) Schumacher. Grandfather of Kathleen, Brigid, Shawn and Jack Finnin, Stella and Nora Cawley.
He is also survived by his siblings Carole, the late Gene (Lee) Schumacher, Janice (John) Comiskey, Kathleen (Frank) Maloney, Erin (David) Carlstedt, Maureen (Phil) Panatera, Mary Pat (Jim) Rohan, Jim (Julie) Schumacher, and Susan (Tom) Sheahan.
Fond brother-in-law of Michael Miller, Ret. Bat. Chief CFD, and PJ (Joanne) Miller. Proud uncle and great uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Thursday, May 2 from 3 to 9 p.m. at St. Cajetan Church, 2445 W. 112th Street.
A Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, May 3 at St. Cajetan Church at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
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