Kenneth A. Schneider

Ken Schneider 85,of Willsboro,passed away peacefully today at Essex Centers with his loving family and extended family by his side.
Kenneth Schneider was born September 19,1932 in Oshkosh Wisconsin to Violet Rothe and Albert Schneider. He married his wife,Margaret on May 30th 1953. Ken began his career in the paper industry after serving in the Army. He and “Peg” settled to Green Bay Wisconsin and the Packers were in their heyday with Bart Starr leading the way. They were fortunate to have season tickets and there, Ken became the world's biggest Packer fan.
After packing up his family, now with five children,and moving to the east coast, they lived in several different areas, until they finally came to reside in Willsboro NY. Ken worked for Georgia Pacific and his talents were needed in other areas of the world. He frequently traveled to Europe to assist in getting them started in the latest innovations in paper machinery. He never graduated high school, and was a self taught engineer, a true genius. In the early 60's, he was sent to the south to help with the design flaw they were having with the machine that made the first hard pack cigarette packaging. He fixed it and soon they were rolling out everywhere. Later he designed a machine that used potato starch for glue on paper towels and toilet paper so you got that “easy start” on your rolls.
Ken was an avid hunter and fisherman, owning several boats and winning in the 1st annual Lake Champlain Fishing Derby. He enjoyed working on engines and could fix anything. He was a gunsmith and gun collector. He loved raising his ducks, chickens,turkeys, but especially loved his Labradors. After retiring from Georgia Pacific in 1996, he enjoyed cooking and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Ken spent the last few years of his life battling Alzheimer's disease at Essex Centers. There he had an amazing extended family who took wonderful care of him. A big heartfelt thanks to the girls who loved him and cared for him,Patty, Michelle, Martha, Amber, Kim,Cathy and Miley, just to mention a few. He was their “Papa”.
Ken was predeceased by his wife, Margaret, his parents, his brother Carl, and sister Loraine. He is survived by his sister June, brother Wayne, his special “brother” and life long best friend, Edmund (Nancy) Ellis,his children Scott(Linda) Schneider,Randy Schneider, Susan Neilly, Anne(Scott) Marcotte, and Meg Schneider, his grandchildren Donna(John) Pearson, Adam and Ryan Schneider,Nikki and Rachel Schneider,Samuel(Ashley) Marcotte,Hannah(Kyle)Jacques,Allie Neilly and Austin Ferris,3 great grandchildren Emma,Layla and Camden Jacques,several nieces and nephews.
Ken wanted no sorrow at the time of his death and asked for a celebration of his life. The family will hold a private memorial service in the spring.
Donations can be made in his name to the Alzheimer's Association, or to the Willsboro Fish and Game Club.
What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose,for all that we love deeply becomes part of us….Helen Keller
Arrangements have been entrusted to Heald Funeral Home, 7521 Court Street. Elizabethtown.
To light a memorial candle or leave an online condolence please visit www.healdfuneralhomeinc.com