Joseph J. Schneider

Several years ago, Joe received a book titled, The Story Of A Lifetime: A Keepsake of Personal Memoirs. Its gilded pages were left blank, intended to be filled by the recipient. Although, on several occasions, Joe took up pen to begin writing his story, ink never made it to the page. The book is empty despite the full life Joe led. This said, we can imagine his handwriting flowing across each leaf, his cursive evocative of his character: decisive, firm, contemplative, compassionate. Our friend, brother, father, grandfather, and partner has left it to us to continue his story, and to hold dear the indelible mark he has left on each of us.

            Joe learned resilience early in his life. He was born on May 16th, 1947 to Peter Schneider and Barbara Sieber, in a displaced persons camp in Ansfelden, Austria. His sister Monika arrived into the world a few years later. Together, In 1951, they made the journey across the Atlantic on a United States transport ship, arriving in New York City after days at sea. These formative years and humble beginnings forged in Joe a deep appreciation for family as well as a connection to the ocean. For the remainder of his life he would treasure both and work to ensure a closeness to each.

            In business and academia Joe excelled. Attending Quakertown High School, and earning degrees from Saint Joseph’s University as well as John Marshall Law School, he broadened and sharpened his understanding of the world and his place in it. As he traveled the country acting as head of the legal department for Henkels and McCoy, Inc. Joe distinguished himself as a leader and cultivated meaningful relationships with the people he met. One of those people was Regina Perrulli. They were married in 1981 and would go on to have three children: Josef, Nicholas, and Olivia. While fulfilling his duties as a loving father, Joe developed the business that he would consider amongst his greatest achievements. Flying Carport was much more than an airport parking service, it was emblematic of Joe’s drive to achieve and to provide. The eventual sale of this business afforded Joe the time and means to spend the rest of his life focused on what truly meant most to him–his friends and family.

            The final chapters of Joe’s life were filled with time surrounded by the people he loved, in places that he loved. After Joe and Regina divorced, Joe reunited with and married the person he would cherish for the rest of his days, a former friend from grade school, Marla. This union also brought her son, Jared, into the family. Marla was a cheerleader in high school, and for the past 26 years she has been that and so much more to Joe. His biggest advocate. His support system. His best friend. From the deck of their house in Ocean City, New Jersey, Joe would spend hours watching the ocean, perhaps reflecting upon his journey that began a continent away so many years ago. As we reflect upon Joe’s life and journey it is appropriate to remember that from that spot he enjoyed the calm sunny days just as much as he embraced the beauty of a storm rolling in from the horizon. Joe was there with us to enjoy the good times, but more importantly, he supported us as we weathered the bad.

While Joe’s book remains unfinished, his legacy is written into each of us and into our experiences with the surrounding world. He is in the smell of the beach, the taste of a good bowl of chili, the laughter of his grandchildren Jessica, Kaden, and Maddox, the feel of a perfect 7-iron, and the awe inspiring views of the cosmos that filled him with wonder until the day he died. Our carrying of his memory serves as a fitting epilogue to a life well lived.