Albert 'Buddy' Schoenthal IV

Albert 'Buddy' Schoenthal IV, 44, of St. Augustine, Florida, passed away from a long-time illness on Wednesday, July 21, 2021. Buddy was born in Ohio on Friday, February 11, 1977. He was raised in Medina, where he attended St. Francis Xavier Elementary School. He spent three years at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, graduated from Cooper City High School in Florida. After High School, Buddy enlisted in the U.S. Navy for a term shortened after discovery of medical limits. Reciting his birth date and the last day of his life does little to describe his 44 years on earth. A few months after Albert was born, his older brother, Jimi started calling him 'my buddy'. The name was a good fit because he was always everyone's 'Buddy'. With his mother working and Jimi off to college, Buddy became the caretaker for his brother, Chris who was five years younger. Later in life as the impacts of Buddy's illness gripped him, it was Christopher who was his best friend and who aided him through his worst times. Peers, family, extended family, cousins and children were naturally drawn to his compassion, warmth and great sense of humor. A natural born athlete, Buddy started walking at five months old and never stopped. He had quick reflexes and his long legs provided a huge stride. Buddy's early passion was baseball but then turned to a true love of soccer which he played for the Medina Rangers Soccer Club and St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School. Also, a lover of nature, Buddy felt most at home outdoors always having difficulty being 'locked inside' for work positions in shops and factories. Never to stall at a single job or position, he prided himself as a logger and was truly fearless when it came to climbing trees; he could fell a tree as well as his grandfather, Pipi. Much of his youth was spent joyfully 'Working Hard and Playing Hard' at Pipi's Pond with his two brothers and numerous cousins. He trained as an arborist in Arizona with his Uncle Dave, worked in construction and environmental work in Ohio and managed and maintained a miniature golf course for years in St. Augustine. Buddy was a true handyman prepared to use his wits, talents and natural ability to fix and figure all manner of problems, from mechanics to building sprinkler systems to landscape plans. Buddy had a creative and artistic mind creating intricate drawings while melding them with poems and script. It is with great sadness that Buddy's family announces his death. Buddy was preceded in death by his grandparents, Richard and Betty Grondin (of Medina); godfather, Michael Grondin (of Arizona) and cousin, Jared Grondin (of Arizona). He is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Grondin-Haskins; father, Albert Schoenthal (of Florida); brothers, James (Marisa) Grondin (of Rhode Island), Christopher Schoenthal (of Barberton); daughter, Gwendolyn Schoenthal (of Florida); son, Matthew (of Florida); stepfather, Thomas Haskins (of Barberton); stepbrothers, Thomas (Ashley) Haskins (of Copley), Christopher Haskins (of Australia); stepsister, Kimberly Haskins (of Barberton); nieces, Marguerite and Gabriella Grondin (of Rhode Island); nephews, Oliver Schoenthal (of Barberton), Liam and Declan Haskins (of Copley) and a plethora of aunts, uncles and cousins. Buddy was loved by all and will be greatly missed. A celebration of Buddy's Life will be held and announced at a later date.