Service garage owner remembered for friendly conversation, sweet gifts

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by Tim Troglen

Reporter

Maple Heights -- A man who Fire Chief Jim Castelucci called "a fixture in this community for 87 years" died March 17.

Norman E. Schade Sr., the owner of Schades Garage, 16001 Libby Road, was born July 23, 1920 in Maple Heights.

"He was here all his life," said son, Norman E. Schade Jr., one of eight children. "He was born on Anthony Street."

Schade Jr. said his dad opened his service garage in 1946 and worked there until he died. The business has provided towing for city vehicles and police impounds for much of that time.

"We always appreciated the relationship we had with the city," Schade Jr. said.

Mayor Jeff Lansky delivered a city proclamation to Mr. Schade's wife, Irene.

"Dad tried to do right by people," Shade Jr. said. "When my dad started the station, customers would come in just to talk."

Friendly conversation wasn't the only attraction.

"My Dad kept bees for a hobby," Schade Jr. said, explaining his father kept the bees in hives at work and at home, selling their honey to markets and customers who stopped by the shop.

The proclamation from the city said Mr. Schade "provided the Maple Heights Fire Department each year with a supply of his honey for distribution at Christmas."

"He was always there if you needed something. He would go out of his way to help," Castelucci said.

"He loved the family and he loved his business," added Shade Jr. "That's what kept him going."