Obituary of John Jeffery Schmalbach

Brookfield – John J. Schmalbach, age 75, of Brookfield passed away on Saturday January 20, 2024 at Danbury Hospital.

John was born July 3, 1948 in New York, New York. He was the loving son of the late John and Emilie (Lancaric) Schmalbach. He worked as a maintenance worker at Flagship Converters, was a history buff, a motorcycle enthusiast and loved the open road. Although being of German descent, he had a profound love for being Italian through Nonna Toni’s cooking.

John is not survived by any children or siblings but is survived by the children of his previously deceased cousins, Gerald Roman and Elizabeth Fleming, Michael and Mary Roman and Jeanne, Donald, Jill and David Fleming and his dear friends who he considered as his family and who loved him as their own: Tracy Sebouhian and her husband Marc of Southbury, Anthony Rutledge and his wife Valerie of Southbury, Edward Rutledge and his wife Rosella of Brewster, NY and Edward Rutledge and his wife Toni of Southbury.  John considered their children: Antonia and Avianna Sebouhian, Patrick Rutledge and Matthew and Justin Rutledge to be his nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his closest friends: Claudio, Dave and Greg and many other dear friends

John was predeceased by his nephew Ryan Rutledge with whom he shared a very special bond and who was waiting for him to share a very special place with.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday January 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Brookfield Funeral Home 786 Federal Road Brookfield. A Celebration of John’s Life will be held on Tuesday January 30, 2024 at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery in New Milford in the Spring.