The Reverend Dr. Phillip O. Schnell

Let us remember with thanksgiving the life and ministry of Reverend Dr. Phillip O. Schnell, 83, of West Simsbury, who died on Tuesday, May 23, 2017.  Rev. Schnell was born December 28, 1933 in Peekskill, NY, the son of the late Marion E. (Osborn) Schnell.
 
He received his BA, MA, and DMin from Drew University in Madison, NJ and spent 42 years serving churches. After one year in the Wyoming Conference, Rev. Schnell pastored churches in Golden’s Bridge, Purdys and North Salem, Beacon: First, Setauket, Bristol: Prospect, Newburgh: Grace and Newington.  He retired from New York Conference in 1998.
 
His service in Bristol best defined his mission and career where, in addition to his religious ministerial duties, he worked tirelessly for shelters for the homeless, affordable housing for the working poor, food for the needy and providing work for the unemployed.

After his retirement, he served churches in Warwick, RI and Fall River, MA, as an interim pastor and provided ministerial support. He was asked to serve the Grace United Methodist Church, in Westerly, RI for five years, finally retiring in 2013.

In the early years of his ministry, Dr. Schnell and his wife, Anne, took courses in leading trips with Educational Opportunities to the Holy Land. He enjoyed leading many ecumenical trips to various places in the world of religious significance. He enjoyed music, especially singing in his church choirs and choral groups, swimming in the ocean, and long walks on the beach.

He is survived by his wife, Anne (Johnson) Schnell of West Simsbury; four children: Linda A. Torrey of Stratford, VT; Phillip A. Schnell of Southington; Robert L. Schnell (Martha Repetto) of Mount Vernon, NY, and Amy Bobinski (Len) of West Simsbury; six grandchildren: George Hill, Jodee Adams, Kim Kosiorek, Paul Barrette, Leonard Bobinski, and Skyler Bobinski; and five great grandchildren: Ashlee Santoro, Meagan Barrette, Brandon Barrette, Joshua Barrette, and Jakob Kosiorek.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial service in celebration of Reverend Dr. Schnell's life, Sunday, May 28, 2017, at 3 PM at the Simsbury United Methodist Church, 799 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury. A reception will follow the service.