Alex G. Schmidt, founder of Schmidt's Auto Body and Glass
Alex G. Schmidt, 73, of Amherst died Wednesday, May 7, 2008, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Schmidt

Born in Buffalo, Mr. Schmidt attended Burgard High School and the University of Buffalo School of Business. He served in the U.S. Navy in the late 1950s.

Mr. Schmidt was born into the collision business and trained with his father until he started his own collision shop at Broadway and Sherman in 1963. In 1965, he opened the first Schmidt's Auto Body and Glass on 738 Main St., was the first in Buffalo to use the new frame straightening device and the shop is still in operation. In 1972, he opened his first suburban location on Sheridan Drive near Harlem Road in Amherst. In 1975, Mr. Schmidt opened on Lake Street in the Village of Hamburg. In 1978, he followed with a location at Transit Road and Broadway in Depew. In 1979, he expanded into the state of Florida, opening three locations. Finally, in 2003, Mr. Schmidt opened his fifth Western New York location at the Factory Outlet Boulevard on Military Road.

Besides collision shops, Mr. Schmidt also owned a few plazas and retail stores.

He was a member of many automotive associations, including the International Society of Collision Repair, and he was appointed to the Department of Motor Vehicles Inter Reparability Committee of the State Insurance Commissioner Complaint Department. Mr. Schmidt was a member of the Antique Auto Club of America and was the proud owner of a Packard convertible.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; two sons, Alex and Mark; and two grandchildren.

Services were held Friday, May 9, 2008, at the Amigone Funeral Home.