Obituary of John W. Schnurle

CANISTEO: John W. Schnurle, 78, of Cty. Rte. 69 passed away Thursday (Oct. 3, 2013) at his home surrounded by the love and comfort of his family. He was born April 22, 1935 in North Hornell, the son of the late Leslie and Geraldine (Malloy) Schnurle. John's youth was spent growing up on Third St. in Canisteo and working at the family hardware business. After graduating from Canisteo Central School he was off to Alfred Ag. Tech, and continued to work at Home Builder's Supply. It was while he was attending Alfred that he married the love of his life and soul mate Carolyn. After graduating from Alfred Ag Tech., John returned to the family hardware business as a full partner with his father Les and Uncle Fred Schnurle. After helping to move the business in new directions, John became restless and expanded his love for business by taking a new job in sales for the Ithaca Gun Company. After a short time John moved his family to Ithaca, NY, to become National Sales Manager at Ithaca Gun. They lived near Ithaca until 1977, when John and Carolyn returned to Canisteo to help expand the family business, with partners Bill Preston and Gary Davis, and Carolyn as the gift shop manager. The business was expanded to Plaza 21 as the Servistar Home Center and eventually to a new building in North Hornell as the "Do It Best" Home Center, which John retired from in 2001. John's civic involvements included being a former member and past President of the Canisteo Fire Company and Assistant Chief of Canisteo Fire Dept. He was also a former member and past President of the Canisteo Rotary Club. One of his dear passions was the love for the outdoors where he enjoyed the company of his family and friends hunting grouse, pheasants and deer. Many happy years were spent as "Snow Birds" to Fort Myers and Englewood, FL, sharing great times with close friends. Much of their retirement years were spent refinishing and reselling antiques and traveling to antique shows to the Adirondacks with close friends Barb and Dick Terry and Don and Marcia Merring. Summers were spent at home in Buena Vista with family and lifelong friends. John enjoyed his companionship with his Brittany Spaniels, Bess, Babe and currently Annie. John and Carolyn's adventures took them to Montana, Wyoming and Evergreen, Co. for their granddaughter's wedding. In addition to his wife of 59 years, Carolyn Schnurle of Canisteo, John is survived by a son Michael (Donna) Schnurle of Spencer, two daughters: Marcy (William) Howell of Alpharetta, GA and Kimberly Schnurle-Chase of Brooktondale, 5 grandchildren: Sarah (Jeff) Orlowski, Benjamin Schnurle, Allison Schnurle, Hallie and Hannah Chase. He is also survived by brother-in-law Dwight Preston of Cairo, sister-in-law Arlene Ellison of Northfield, NJ, and cousins Greg and Cathy Schnurle of Canisteo as well as nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Nancy Herrick. "How proud he was of his children and grandchildren. He was loved and will be missed." The family will receive friends from 1-3 and 6-8 PM Saturday at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 29 East Main St in Canisteo. Funeral and committal services will take place Sunday at 4:00 PM at the Buena Vista Wesleyan Church, Cty. Rte.# 69, with Pastor Daniel Pickering officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Canisteo. Memorial contributions in John Schnurle's name may be made to either the Canisteo Fire Dept. c/o Sandy Pierce, 35 Main St. Canisteo, NY 14823, the Hornell Area Humane Society, P.O. Box 533, Hornell, NY 14843 or to the Buena Vista Wesleyan Church, 6034 Cty. Rte.# 69, Canisteo, NY 14823. Online condolences and memories may be made through hpsmithandsonfuneralhome.com. Service: Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013 4:00 PM Buena Vista Wesleyan Church Cty. Rte. 69 Canisteo, NY Visitation: Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013 1-3 and 6-8 PM H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. 29 East Main St. Canisteo, NY