Obituary: Executive director of substance abuse organization

Richard Paul Schmit, of Dix Hills, died on Feb. 12. He was 60 years old.

Schmit served for 25 years as the executive director of Friends of Bridge, a non-profit community-based outpatient center for drug and alcohol abuse and addiction in Valley Stream.

Linda Pizzolo, who worked closely with Schmit as the president of the center’s board of directors, said he would be sorely missed.

“He was a friend to everyone at our center — patients, staff, everyone,” she said. “He was just such a caring person to all our patients. He worked with everyone: young adults, older people, you name it. He was a hard worker and truly cared about what happened here and what happened to our patients. Whenever anyone needed anything, no matter what it was, he was right there to help.”

Schmit was married to Deborah Ostrosky. The pair had a case of wanderlust and traveled often. His favorite destination was the remote territory of Alaska. An avid outdoorsman, Schmitt loved to spend time in that northern wilderness, often going on hiking, fishing and boating trips when there.

Schmit is predeceased by his brother, Robert M. Schmit. He is survived by brothers Donald R. and Michael G. Schmit, and many nieces and nephews.