Ridgefield jewelry shop operator dies at 56: ‘A lovely soul’

The Ridgefield local community is mourning the reduction of Schoellkopf, a local company operator who died unexpectedly Friday at the age of 56.  Family members said they’re waiting for the benefits of an autopsy, but “all indications are that he died of a unexpected coronary heart attack.” 

“Peter was the light-weight of my daily life and my greatest good friend,” claimed Andie Schoellkopf, his wife. “My heart is damaged. And I know if he have been right here, he would resolve it.” 

Schoellkopf, a extended-time Weston resident, was proprietor of Zoe & Co. Sugarbeads, a jewelry, gem and gift shop that has been a fixture in downtown Ridgefield for several a long time.

A prayer company in celebration of his everyday living will be available Saturday, March 25 at 2 p.m. at Kane Funeral Dwelling 25 Catoonah St., Ridgefield. Household and close friends will be been given from 12:30 p.m. until finally the time of the prayer provider. Interment will acquire area privately. Contributions in Schoelkopf’s memory may be made to the American Coronary heart Affiliation.

Schoellkopf’s son, Jason Schoellkopf, a Weston resident who operates at Sugarbeads, mentioned while his father liked fixing jewelry and generating custom made parts —  “making just about every piece best for each and every customer,” his father was at his happiest “when he was producing his spouse and children chuckle.”

‘The humorous one’

Schoellkopf’s sister, Minneapolis resident Wendy Doster, reported “Peter was the humorous a single” of her siblings. 

“As children, it was generally me, (my center brother) Michael and Peter, and Michael and I were the intense, really serious ones. Peter was the oldest and was just super calm and — humorous. He generally had the most effective 1-liner jokes and introduced mild to us — he took absent our seriousness and manufactured every little thing light and pleasurable,” Doster reported.

She added her late brother’s humor would usually arrive in useful every time there was “political division” in their family.

“Every time there was a minimal tense back again and forth concerning the relatives customers and at get-togethers, he normally diffused it with a mutual, exciting one-liner,” Doster additional.

His daughter also pointed out his humor. 

“My heart is broken. Daddy experienced a stunning brain, a type soul. He was the funniest man. And I am so blessed to have had him as my father,” stated Julie, his daughter.

His mom and dad, Wolfgang and Peggy, are crushed by his loss, the relatives stated. His son described a loving father. 

“He was a excellent father, and I hope he knew it,” stated Jason Schoellkopf, his son. “I beloved him so, so a lot. I’ll be pondering about him and the great he did for me and my relatives without end.” 

‘Always incredibly sweet and kind’

Addessi said his late pal was a “pretty sweet gentleman. Each and every time you’d fulfill him, he’d access out and shake your hand,” explained Addessi, who owns the developing on Key Road the place Sugarbeads is located. “He was usually very sweet and form.”

 He additional Schoellkopf was always incredibly happy to own a enterprise in Ridgefield.

“They (the entire spouse and children) have been just so delighted to be on Main Road and so happy of it, and they continue to are. It truly is … remaining in this article and the site and remaining section of the centre of the town, and which is what sets us apart in Ridgefield,” Addessi mentioned. “We’re all basically a good deal of mother and pop stores.”

Addessi said his relatives grew to become incredibly friendly with the Schoellkopf family members — all their kids would see every single other every time they ended up at their parents’ outlets. 

“We all obtained to know each and every other on a personalized amount,” he explained.

“We’re here to support them,” he extra, referring to the family’s reduction.

‘Encouraging and supportive’

Ridgefield resident and fellow jewelry maker Angela Tzamouranis said she considered Schoellkopf to be like “relatives” and significantly enjoyed speaking with him about their common passion.

“I initial satisfied the Schoellkopfs six many years in the past, at Sugarbeads … I experienced just embarked on the journey of earning jewelry. The first time I achieved Peter, I talked about how all the gemstone beads had been so rather and sparkly, sitting down all collectively in little rows. His response was a very emphatic, ‘I know!  It’s amazing! I get to seem at them glow all working day prolonged!’  At that moment, I understood we had been going to be superior pals,” she said.

She added her late mate was constantly really “encouraging and supportive” of all the jewelry pieces she built.

“I would push to (Sugarbeads), enthusiastic, any time I manufactured something new and Peter would be just as enthusiastic as me. When I decided to open an on line jewellery shop, Peter gave me pointers when I felt overcome.  I eventually moved on to silversmithing and when my self-confidence would are unsuccessful me, Peter was there to lift me up. He experienced a beautiful soul,” she stated. “I will skip Peter.”

This story was up to date.