James W. Schnell
James W. Schnell, 78, beloved husband and father, teacher and coach, sailing enthusiast, singer, tennis player, jewelry designer and world traveler, died Friday, May 1, 2009, at his Cape Coral home with his family by his side. He was born March 4, 1931, in St. Albans, N.Y.
Raised in Rockville Centre, N.Y., he graduated from Rutgers University, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education.
He served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1953-55 as first lieutenant, civilian personnel officer, 226th Ordinance Base Depot, in Pusan.
After returning from Korea, he taught elementary physical education in Sayville, N.Y., for 30 years. He also coached many sports, including tennis, football, wrestling and basketball.
While living on Long Island and in the Cape, the Schnells belonged to several sailing clubs and traveled the seas from Cape Cod to the Florida Keys and the Bahamas.
For 50 years, the Schnells summered on Schoodic Lake in Milo, Maine, where he designed and built a home.
In 1998, he was commodore of the Cape Coral Sailing Club. He was an avid tennis player and captain of the Blue Team at Park Meadow Tennis Club. He was also a member of the Good Fellas Bocce League.
His travels included the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and a 16,000-mile RV trip to Alaska. While in New Zealand, he learned the art of bone carving, making unusual pendants and earrings. He also enjoyed woodcarving, painting, carpentry and singing.
He was a member of the choir of Epiphany Episcopal Church and was past president of the Sounds of Florida Chorus.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James J. and Charlotte Schnell.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Laura Svenson Schnell; daughter, Barbara Schnell (Brett) Howland of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jane and Arthur Kossmann of Scituate, Mass., Eileen and Alfredo de Zayas of Miramar, Fla., Ingrid and Carey Herdman of Monroe, N.C., Barbara Svenson of Charlotte, N.C., and Jeannine Svenson of Montgomery, Ala. He was also a much-loved uncle to 17 nephews and nieces.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend a funeral service at 1 p.m. May 16 at Epiphany Episcopal Church, 2507 Del Prado Blvd. A reception at the church will follow the service and burial of ashes in the church memorial garden.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908, or Epiphany Episcopal Church are welcome.