John Ernest Schinell

John Ernest Schinell, Jr. age 92, died after a short illness on Saturday, April 23, 2016, in Middletown, CT. John is survived by his wife, Edith, of Middletown; his daughter, Maria and her husband Peter Nilson, of Durham, CT; and his son, Chris Michael Schinell and his wife Birgit, of Darien, CT; as well as his grandsons Carl Nilson of Northford, CT; John Nilson and wife Michele and their daughter Hanah of Northford, CT; Todd Schinell of Cambridge, MA; Evan Schinell and his wife Melissa of Somerville, MA. He is predeceased by his parents John Ernest Schinell, Sr. and Jessica Schinell and his two brothers and two sisters and his granddaughter Kristine Nilson. John was born in Woodstock, GA. He was a veteran of WWII where he honorably served in the 8th Armored Division seeing action in Italy, France and Germany. He returned home to Norwalk, CT where he and his wife Edith raised their two children. John worked as a truck driver for more than 45 years. He drove Big Rig 18 wheeler trucks for more than 30 years around New England achieving seniority driver status with Pepperidge Farm Bakery in Norwalk, CT. John was a wonderful family man and a loving husband and father. He married Edith Petropoulos in 1941 and they were in their 75th year of happy and devoted marriage. John enjoyed nothing more than being surrounded by his family for holidays, special occasions or picnics and swimming in the pool at his home in Norwalk. He often told colorful stories sprinkled with his unique sense of humor of his life growing up on the farm in rural Georgia during the Great Depression years. His brothers nicknamed him “Preacher” because of his endearing way of story telling. His family and friends will always remember him as a happy, optimistic and caring person. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 11:00AM at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Archangels, 1527 Bedford St., Stamford, CT, officiated by Father Harry Pappas. Following the church service will be a procession to Riverside Cemetery, 81 Riverside Ave, Norwalk, CT for his burial. All are welcome to attend and celebrate John’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of John Schinell to the: Middlesex Hospital, 28 Crescent Street, Middletown, CT 06457 or at Middlesex Hospital http://middlesexhospital.org/ . If you would like to leave an expression of sympathy for the family online, you may sign the guestbook at www.bosakfuneralhome.com or visit the funeral home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bosakfuneralhome to share memories with his family.

John Ernest Schinell

April 23, 1924 - April 23, 2016