Deacon Paul J. Schnettler died on Christmas Day 2015, at Buffalo General Medical Center. He was 67.

Deacon Schnettler was born Aug. 11, 1948, in Buffalo, to Joseph and Alberta (Oehler) Schnettler. He graduated from Trott Vocational High School and was employed by the Niagara Falls School District Board of Education for 33 years as a stationary engineer. He retired from this job in 2002.

He was ordained a deacon in 1997 and served at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Tonawanda and Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in North Tonawanda. He was also a chaplain for the Legion of Mary and Niagara County Judges and Police Executive Conference, an Eagle Scout and a 50-year veteran of the Boy Scouts of America.

Deacon Schnettler was a former grand knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 247 in Niagara Falls and part of the Knights of Columbus Degree Team for the 6th New York District.

He is survived by Eileen T. (Kazukietas), his wife of 40 years; his children, Stuart (Dana) and Teresa (Steven) Armstrong; a brother, Thomas (Betty); sisters-in-law Marjorie (Michael) Romanowski and Judith Kazukietas; as well as nieces, nephews and their families.

A funeral Mass was held at St. Vincent de Paul Parish at Prince of Peace Church in Niagara Falls, with burial in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Lewiston.