Baldur Schadinger

MONTGOMERY - Baldur (Val) Schadinger passed away on August 17 at the age of 87 under the caring watch of the staff at Our Lady of the Meadows in Richford, VT.

Born on June 15, 1935 in the ethnically Austrian region of Gottschee, now a part of modern-day Slovenia, Baldur was the fourth child of Bruno Schadinger and Gertrud Loy. After World War II the family moved to the Schadinger residence in St. Pölten, Austria.

As a young man Baldur was trained as a machinist, but his passion was always skiing. When the family moved west into the Austrian Alps he obtained his first position as a ski instructor in Bad Hofgastein. In the mid-1950's he immigrated to St Catharines, Ont. where his older brother was living and subsequently worked as a ski Instructor at Mont Tremblant in the Laurentians. In 1958 was recruited to become the first ski school director at Greek Peak in Cortland, NY.

In 1963 Baldur discovered Jay Peak and made the move to his beloved mountain, living on the Hazen's Notch Road in Montgomery Center for the remainder of his life. He spent many happy years as a ski instructor at Jay Peak and was known for the level of his skiing skill and his dedication to teaching the sport. In time, Baldur also developed a love for Nordic skiing and chose to retire from Jay Peak, establishing the Hazen's Notch Cross Country Ski Center, which flourished for many years. In addition to his career as a professional ski instructor and his endeavors as entrepreneur, Baldur worked as a stonemason during the off season, specializing in Rumford fireplaces that can be found to this day in homes throughout the area. In his free time Baldur pursued his interest snowboarding, telemark skiing cycling and gardening, keeping him fit and connected to the Montgomery community.

Baldur was pre-deceased by his siblings Gertrud Elmer of St. Polten, Austria, Bruno Schadinger of St. Catherines, Ont. and Lothar Schadinger of New Hope, PA.

He is survived by his brother Wolfgang Schadinger of Montgomery Center, VT and his partner, Margot Eastman of Craftsbury, VT; his sister-in-law Margit Schadinger of St. Catherines, Ont.; his former wife Anne-Marie Schlegel Schadinger of Newport, VT; his daughter Sonia Candrian-Schadinger of Herrliberg, Switzerland and her husband, Patrick Candrian; his grandchildren Ladina and Andri, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews in Canada, Austria and the US, and many friends in the local and skiing communities.

A gathering in celebration of Baldur's life will be held at Pratt Hall in Montgomery, VT on October 8 at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome to come and share their remembrances.

Donations in memory of Baldur can be made to The Green Mountain Club. www.greenmountainclub.org 4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury Center, Vermont 05677 (802) 244-7037.

Goss Life Celebration Homes is the area's exclusive provider of Life Celebration events. Please visit our website to share condolences, photos and favorite memories at www.gossfs.com