Philip A. Schmitt of Riverhead died July 2, 2026. He was 93 years old.
Born Sept. 21, 1932, in Farmingdale, he was the son of Philip A. Schmitt Sr. and Mary (Dubon) Schmitt. He graduated from Farmingdale High School. On Feb. 5, 1956, he married Anne, and earlier this year they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
He carried on his family’s farming legacy through Philip A. Schmitt and Son Farms Inc., and in 1979 relocated the family’s farming operation from Farmingdale to Riverhead, where it continues today. His dedication to agriculture earned him the nickname “the lettuce king,” according to his family. A devoted Catholic, he was a faithful parishioner of St. Isidore Church in Riverhead.
He was predeceased by his sisters, Dorothy May, Marion May and Florence Kaufold; and his son-in-law, Richard Stueber.
He is survived by his wife, Anne; his children, Philip (Debbie Andrews) Schmitt, Kathy (Stanley) Zilnicki and Stacie Stueber; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive visitors Wednesday, July 8, from 4 to 8 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, July 9, at 10 a.m. at St. Isidore Church in Riverhead. Interment will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, or Masses may be offered for the repose of his soul.
