John “Jack” Schmidt, a former assistant football coach at Surrattsville, passed away at 88 on Thursday, October 23, 2025, while dealing with many years of dementia.
His wife, Janice Sweatt Schmidt, announced the tragic news on social media.
Jack dedicated his life to education and his community. He was a natural leader and tireless worker who strengthened every school he joined.
He was a standout football player at West Catholic High School in Philadelphia and graduated in 1955. Later, he served as a dean, a math teacher, and a coach at Archbishop Carroll High School.
Jack became a public school teacher in Maryland, teaching math and coaching football at Surrattsville High School. He was an innovator in the classroom who helped to create the first-ever SAT Prep curriculum for his school district.
His commitment to his students was boundless. He taught day and night, tutoring in the evenings, leading night school classes, and teaching summer school to help students succeed.
After 30 years in public schools, Jack returned to Archbishop Carroll to teach math once more. He finally retired in 2009 at the age of 72.
John Schmidt’s Family Mourns the Tragic Loss
John Peter Schmidt was the third of five children born to Noel and Martha Wolfington Schmidt on April 11, 1937, in Haverford Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
He was affectionately known as “Jack” and passed away peacefully at 88 in his home in Cleveland, Georgia. He lived many years with dementia.
Jack was a man who sought a life of purpose from an early age and entered the Novitiate of the Augustinian Fathers in New Hamburg, New York, in September 1956.
His journey of faith remained the cornerstone of his life, guiding his actions and his relationships with everyone he met.
On August 3, 1974, Jack married the love of his life, Janice Lucille Sweatt. They built a beautiful life founded on devotion, laughter, and shared purpose.
The married couple was blessed with three children —Michael, Mark, and Susan —who became the center of their world.
Moreover, Jack’s unwavering dedication was always rooted in love. He was a devoted provider who modeled his faith and nurtured his children’s character and dreams.
Despite long work hours, his time with family was intentional and joy-filled.
He spent countless hours guiding his children, sharing his contagious laugh, volunteering for their activities, and always being available with a listening ear. His legacy of love and commitment extends to his nine adored grandchildren.
Hello, I am Janice Schmidt. Sadly, I am here to let any of you who might remember my husband John Schmidt (Jack) who was Assistant Football Coach and Math Teacher at Surrattsville for 30 years know that he died on Thursday, October 23rd this past week after dealing many years with dementia.
Janice Lucille Sweatt
If you do remember him and would like to leave a message, please post below. We would love to hear from you! Thanks very much,
Janice Sweatt Schmidt and Family
Jack was a proud husband, brother, uncle, father, and granddad, whose most incredible pride was always his family.
He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Janice; children, Michael, Mark, and Susan; and grandchildren, Alana, Andrew, Lexi, Taylor, Harrison, Kinley, Wyatt, Natalie, and Emmitt.
He shared a close bond with his siblings, Barbara Cleary, Ann Garvey, and Harry Schmidt. His sister-in-law, Joan Schmidt; brothers-in-law, Willie and Andy Sweatt; and a host of incredible nieces and nephews also survive him.
On the other hand, he was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Noel Schmidt; and his brother-in-law, Jack Cleary.
Jack’s faith guided his every step, and his place in heaven was always waiting for him.
The Schmidt family will hold Jack’s celebration of life at a future date at St. Dorothy Catholic Church in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. The updated service details will be provided online, or anyone may email the family for additional information as it becomes available.
Instead of flowers, donations may be made in Memory of John P. Schmidt to the Archbishop Carroll Food Drive at https://www.archbishopcarroll.org, the Alzheimer’s Association at https://donorservices.alz.org, or the Lewy Body Dementia Association at https://www.lbda.org.
Rest In Peace, John Peter “Jack” Schmidt.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Jack earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Mathematics from Villanova University and continued his Theological studies at Augustinian College.
- On January 30, 1965, he was ordained at St. Thomas of Villanova Church and celebrated his first Mass at St. Dorothy’s Church on January 31, 1965.
