Deacon Paul J. Schnettler, 67 of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on Friday December 25, 2015 at Buffalo General Medical Center. Born in Buffalo, NY he was the son of the late Joseph and Alberta (Oehler) Schnettler.

Paul moved to the Niagara Falls area with his family at the age of five. He attended local schools and graduated from the former Trott Vocational High School. For 33 years, Paul was employed by the City of Niagara Falls Board of Education as a stationary engineer until his retirement in 2002. In 1997, Paul was ordained a Deacon for the Diocese of Buffalo, assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Tonawanda, NY and later Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in North Tonawanda, NY. He also served as Chaplain for the Legion of Mary and Niagara County Judges and Police Executive Conference. Paul was a longtime active member of the Knights of Columbus Council 247 in Niagara Falls where he served as past Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator. He was also a former member of the Knights of Columbus Degree Team for 6th New York District. Paul was a 50 year veteran of Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout). In his leisure time, he loved hunting, golfing, fishing, camping and bowling.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Eileen T. (Kazukietas) Schnettler, his two children, Stuart (Dana) Schnettler and Teresa (Steven) Armstrong, his brother Thomas (Betty) Schnettler, sisters-in-law, Marjorie (Michael ) Romanowski and Judith Kazukietas, a special aunt, as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. Paul was also the son-in-law of the late Stanley G. and Mary Kazukietas and brother-in-law of the late Stanley J. Kazukietas.

Visitation will be held on Monday from 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. at M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL 2730 MILITARY ROAD NIAGARA FALLS, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday December 30th at 9:30 a.m. at St. Vincent De Paul Parish at Prince of Peace Church 1055 North Military Road Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Jeffrey L. Nowak officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Entombment will be held in Gate of Heaven Cemetery at the convenience of the family. The Knights of Columbus Council 247 will conduct a prayer service on Monday at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be made to Greater Niagara Frontier Council, Boy Scouts of America 2860 Genesee St. Buffalo, NY 14225 or Upstate New York Transplant Services 110 Broadway, Buffalo, NY 14203.