Arthur (Artie) J. Schnetzer, 96, of Lady Lakes, Florida, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2020. He is survived by Virginia, his wife of 70 years and his 3 children: Dean Schnetzer, Debbie Auclair and Brian Schnetzer and their respective spouses: Tama, Edward and Steve. Additionally, he is survived by his brother, Richard, his sister-in-law Mary Ann and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Sean, Christopher (and his wife Farah), Jeffrey, Jesse (and his wife Jennifer), Nicole (and her husband Joseph) and Brendan and by 4 great-grandchildren: Jewel, Jordan, Emma and Madison.
Artie was born in 1924 in Queens, New York. He served proudly in the U.S.Army during World War II while stationed in England, France and Germany (where he attended the Nuremberg Trials). He spent most of his adult life living on Long Island in Hicksville, Port Jefferson Station, Rocky Point and Manorville while working in the aerospace industry as a Schematic Engineer. He was proud to have worked on and contributed to the Apollo 11 moon landing. He was an avid reader (having read his beloved Shakespeare and Dickens multiple times), a self-taught artist, a sports fan and a mineral/gem and seashell hobbyist.
Artie was a religious man and while living on Long Island, he served as Grand Knight of The Rocky Point Knights of Columbus from 1982 to 1983 and also he served for many years as a Eucharistic Minister, usher and trustee at St. Louis deMonfort Catholic Church in Sound Beach. In November, 1994, Artie and his wife Virginia (Ginny) retired to The Villages where he became president of the Art League as well as president of the Central Florida Mineralogy Club. He was an active member of many other clubs, enjoyed multiple day trips to the Disney theme parks and Silver Springs, as well as visits north to visit family.
He was happiest sharing life with his beloved Ginny and spending time with his family during their frequent visits to Florida.
As he became older and less active, he continued to read great literature on his Kindle-as well as books on math, physics and religion. He continued to have a thirst for learning up until the end of his life and he always enjoyed discussing what he was reading.
Artie’s funeral will be a private one. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Hospice, The Villages, FL.