Gerald Mark Schnack, of Newark, NJ, passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at the age of 65.
Gerald was born to parents Robert and Janet Schnack on December 10, 1953 in Newark, NJ. He graduated from Columbia High School in 1973 where he earned his varsity letter in wrestling. As a young man, his family and friends described him as selfless and compassionate who did anything to help others, regardless of their circumstances, without asking why. He developed a passion for culinary arts and tried to enroll in the armed forces as a chef to continue his selfless acts for others but was disqualified due to his eye sight. In 1975, he married his high school sweetheart Cheryle Anne DiRocco and moved to Central Florida shortly afterwards where they shared an amazing life. Together they raised 2 children.
Gerald was a chef until he became disabled in 2010 and continued his selfless acts until he passed.
Gerald is survived by his wife Cheryle Anne Schnack; his two sons Jason Stephen Schnack and Daniel Michael Schnack (Malia Huegel Schnack), three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his brothers Ronald Schnack and Leonard Neil Schnack. He will be missed dearly by many loved ones and friends.
A Celebration of Life gathering is scheduled for Saturday, May 25, 2019 at 2:00 PM at 585 Avon Glade Place, Sanford, FL 32771. The family is grateful for the condolences and in lieu of flowers, they kindly request donations be made in his name to the American Diabetes Association, http://www.diabetes.org or the National Kidney Foundation, https://www.kidney.org.
Service
Celebration of Life
585 Avon Glade Place, Sanford, Florida 32771
2:00pm
Kathlleen Schott Haney says
I am so sorry for your loss. Healing prayers for strength to get through this tough time
Donnie Moore says
Words are not enough. Gerry was one of the kindest and gentle men I have met. He never had a cross thing to say and always was a friend to anyone. We had some great times together. Gerry you will be missed
Theresa DiRocco says
I send my condolences to the schnack family it’s sad to see him go but he left a great legacy of charity and compassion to everyone, he was a great cook and I remember he helped our family when we moved to Florida. I know he will be missed by everyone. Many blessings to his family that they may find peace in The midst of grief.
Brian says
I was very sorry to see that Gerry had passed away. I attended junior and senior high school with Gerry and he was, in fact, a truly decent, caring, and nice person. If he was a friend of yours, you were a lucky person. One time, in high school, I was being relentlessly bullied by a big, bad, nasty guy. It was a nightmare. And Gerry, being a big strong guy himself, stepped in, assertively, to help me. Suffice it to say, the bullying ended that day. I never forgot that and never will. Rest in peace Gerry. Our world was a better place with you in it!