New Paltz – Bill Schnitzer, 87, a longtime resident of New Paltz, died on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, New York.
Bill, an ordained Episcopal Priest, held positions of Curate and Rector in Rhode Island, Assistant and Vicar in New Jersey and Priest-In-Charge, Assistant, Interim Pastor and Supply Priest for the Diocese of New York during his lifetime. Bill also worked for the New York State Department of Corrections in the positions of Supervisor of Volunteer Services at several correctional facilities and Acting Director of Volunteer Services in Albany until his retirement. Bill served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.
In addition, Bill was active in all the communities he lived in. This included being a board member of the New Paltz Village Planning Board and Commissioner of the New Paltz Village Historic Preservation Board. Bill’s other interests included being a sometime booking agent for two small tent circuses in the Hudson Valley as well as past president of the Empire State Railway Museum, Inc.
Bill was the third son of Robert F. Schnitzer and Alice Lawton Schnitzer and born in Newport RI. Bill married Carol (Cal) Lowensohn on June 14, 1958 in Riverside RI. He is survived by his wife at home. He is also survived by a son, William R. Schnitzer and daughters, Ellen-Jean Smith and Laurel A. Long and her husband, Douglas as well as his sister, Carol A Magruder and four grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Bill was also predeceased by his brothers, Robert F. Schnitzer, Jr. and George C. Schnitzer.
Arrangements are for cremation under the direction of Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will take place at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at a future date, yet to be decided.
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