Jim Schaming Passes

Jim Schaming Passes

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Published: January 26, 2011 4:52 pm ET

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Jim Schaming, one of the founding members of the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, passed away on Monday, January 24 at home after a courageous year-long struggle with cancer. He was 78.

He was born November 6, 1932, in Brentwood, the son of the late Margaret (Jean) and Peter Schaming. Jim was the beloved husband for nearly 50 years of Janice (Toth); the much-loved father of Susan Schaming of Cherry Hill, NJ; Diane Hupp (Jeffrey) of Pittsburgh; Karen McCombs (Brent) of The Woodlands, TX; and Billy Schaming (Kimberly) of Carmel, IN. He had three grandchildren: Paige and Hope McCombs, as well as Turner James Schaming.

Schaming graduated from Duquesne University and became founder and president of Mr. Magic Car Wash, Inc. Two years later he founded Magic Investments, Inc. and served as President for the next 45 years. In 1995, he earned the President's Award from the International Car Wash Association in recognition of his achievements and life-long contributions.

As an alumnus of Duquesne University, Schaming was a long-standing member of the Duquesne Society and a proud and robust supporter of its athletic program. He was honoured in 2007 with induction into the Brentwood High School of Hall of Fame.

In addition to his business, Schaming was an avid harness racing enthusiast. He owned, bred, and raced horses for over 40 years as a hobby. In addition to being one of the founding members of the MSOA, he served on the MSOA board from 2007-2010, including two years as the treasurer.

"Jim was such an important part of the MSOA and contributed so much to harness racing in Western Pennsylvania over the years," said MSOA President Rich Gillock. "His work will continue to have an effect on harness racing here for many years to come."

Funeral arrangements by BEINHAUERS. Friends welcome at 2828 Washington Rd., McMurray, 15317, (724-941-3211) on Thursday and Friday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Anne Church, Hoodridge Drive, Castle Shannon at 12 noon on Saturday. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

If so desired, contributions may be made to St. Clair Hospital, 1000 Bower Hill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15243 in Jim's name. Please add and view tributes at beinhauer.com.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Jim Schaming.

(MSOA)

I knew Jim fairly well. I purchased my AVW equipment from Jim 15 years ago.
Jim had one of the most successful washes in Pittsburgh - exceeding 200,000 washes annually. He mentored me for awhile on how to be succesful in the business. He was a pioneer in the industry. He would challenge you to go over his cars with white glove to find dirt - you could never find any. He also pioneered heated dryers. His dryers were expensive to run but he dried a car "completely" ever time. The other operators used to shake their heads when they would be closed because of drizzle and he would be open with car counts over a well hundred by noon on a "rainy day". I had never gone there and saw nothing happening - didn't matter what kind of day it was. Car going through the tunnel the tunnel a few feet apart from open to close.

He was well respected here in Pittsburgh. The best car wash operator I ever met !

Jim will be missed by many, not just here in the Burg' , but all over the industry. There are many washes that use his model, and many more that wish they had. Mr. Magic is as Pittsburgh as Eat&Park and the Steelers. But I have seen the influence of Jim in cities all over the country. For those of you who have never seen a Mr. Magic wash in action you must. How he got that kind of volume out of the postage stamp pieces of land is incredible. I had an investor with me and we watched one of his locations in the south hills for two hours, my guy was so nervous he opted to go with a Self Serv, he said it was an accident waiting to happen. Jim preparred me for my early years as a manager and I called him the first time my location hit the 1000 car/day mark and he asked me if I though it could do more! It did and he was not surprised. A great guy for sure.