Realty USA pioneer and basketball coach Chris Schmid dies

Courtesy of the Schmid family

Christopher Schmid, former president of Realty USA and Union College basketball coach.

Christopher Schmid, the former president of Realty USA and college basketball coach who was a mentor to countless people in the Albany, NY region and is considered a pioneer in the local real estate industry, has died.

Schmid died late Tuesday night, July 30, at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady surrounded by his family, said his son, Andre.

He was 79 and had cancer.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family.

News of Schmid?s death traveled fast today within the real estate community, as people mourned the loss of a man they said was a successful businessman with a gentle touch, someone who knew how to get the best out of those he met and was willing to help whenever he could.

?He was a coach at heart,? said Frank Barbera Sr., who teamed up with him developing land and building homes after Schmid sold the Realty USA franchise in 2000. ?He could get someone to achieve more than they would on their own.?

?He wasn?t tough,? Barbera added. ?He was a fair businessman. He could see both sides of a transaction. He wouldn?t try to exact the most out of a deal.?

Schmid lived in Clifton Park and is survived by his wife of 53 years, Beryl; a sister, Gerda Carmichael; two children, Andre Schmid of Clifton Park and Heidi Gaudiano of California; and five grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by two children.

"He was still, at 79, as enthusiastic about doing business as he ever was," said Ken Raymond, principal at Prime Cos. in Cohoes, which runs the local Coldwell Banker franchise and other businesses. "Everything was not for him, but for his family and children. He was still in the game, and enjoyed it. I'm honored to have known him."

DeMasi covers real estate, construction, retail and hospitality.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vertical_54/~3/R2CqjgVlb_Y/realty-usa-pioneer-and-basketball.html

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