James Oswald Edgar Schumacher

James Oswald Edgar Schumacher was born on November 15, 1939, in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, just outside of Columbo. Known affectionately by his family and friends as “Ozzie,” he was the second eldest of nine children born to Esme (Pieris) and James Granville Schumacher.

Ozzie emigrated from Sri Lanka to New York as a young man. He found his first employment driving a taxi along the busy streets of Manhattan, later finishing his Associate's degree in Computer Science and working in the computer rooms of Control Data.

It was in New York where he met his wife Anne. They married, and in New York celebrated the birth of their first daughter, Susan. They lived in the Bronx and Long Island before continuing to sunny California, where their daughter Jamie was born.

They say not all superheroes wear capes. Our superhero wore cozy jackets, always had advice on hand, and candy in his pocket. Ozzie had a deep, unwavering faith and an enduring love for his family.

During his working days, his lunch would include a constitutional walk, a practice he continued into retirement. Always with a book at his side, he instilled in all of us a love of reading. Among Ozzie’s great joys were spending time with his family, studying his Bible, playing a good round of cards, and sharing his chocolate.

Ozzie entered eternal rest on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at the age of 83. His last days were spent surrounded by family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents James and Esme, his siblings Glennie, Desmond, Dawn, Bryan, Rebecca, and his beloved grandson Anthony.

Ozzie is survived by Anne, his loving wife of fifty-three years, as well as his daughters Susan Esme and Jamie Rebecca and their husbands Diego Amarilla and Nick Johnson, Ozzie’s granddaughters Corina, Chloe, Natalie, Madeline, and Zarina, his sister Fay and her husband Terrance, his brother Mark and wife Kyoko, his sister June, as well as many nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors.

Together they will miss him more than words can measure.

To know Ozzie was to love him, and the family invites those who knew him to join them in a celebration of a life well lived. Services will be held Saturday, May 6th, 2023. There will be a viewing at 1:30 PM, followed by services at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow for close friends and family.

Contributions are appreciated but not necessary. For those who wish, flowers are welcomed for the service, or a donation sent to: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the American Heart Association.