John Robert Schnell

John R. Schnell Jr- (53) of Tamarac, FL died peacefully on December 15, 2014 at home surrounded by loved ones. Originally from Toledo Ohio, John was born on New Year's Eve 1960. John moved to Sunrise, FL when he was 5 in 1965. John attended public schools in Sunrise including Piper High School. He would later attend Sheridan Vocational where he mastered the skills of cooking. John was an outstanding chef and was significantly responsible for the overwhelming success of the original Paesano's Italian Restaurant in Sunrise and its successor located on Las Olas Blvd in Fort Lauderdale. Later he also helped to make Fillipo's Italian Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale a success. While he was of German descent, few could prepare authentic Italian dishes like he could. He served many local and national celebrities during his tenure. Legendary funny man Willard Scott, who was a frequent visitor to both restaurants, once called John “The King of Culinary.”.

John was one of the original “Ball Park Kids” of the city ball park in east Sunrise. It was there that John forged many life-long friendships. Several of those friends visited John in his final hours.

In his later years, John's “job” was to take care of his beloved, aging mother Nancy. In his final 8 months of life, John battled the dreaded disease cancer while still making sure his mother was taken care of. He courageously fought that disease long enough to ensure that his mother did not have to witness his death. Nancy passed away just 26 days before John.

John is preceded in death by both parents John R. Sr and Nancy L. Schnell and his sister Jacquelyn Lewis. He is survived by his “pride and joy” daughter Kayla, his brother Brian (Laurie) and nieces and nephews Hunter, Macie, Brandon and Taylor.

In lieu of flowers John wished donations be made to the Police Officers Assistance Trust (POAT.org) or to Heartland Hospice (hcr-manorcare.com) in honor of his memory.

Serenity Funeral Home and Cremation has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.