Garry Schnell

Garry Ray Schnell (November 16, 1954 – July 24, 2025)

Garry Schnell, 70, passed away on Thursday July 24th at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, California.

He was born on November 16, 1954 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, Illinois.

Garry was part of the Kankakee Eastridge High School Class of 1972, where he starred in basketball and baseball. He played center on the ’71-’72 basketball team that went to the Sweet Sixteen round of the Illinois state tournament.

He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1976 with a B.A. degree in Economics.

Looking to escape the Midwest winters, in 1979, he moved to California where his career included over 23 years with West Marine Products as part of their corporate transportation department. Throughout those many years in California, Garry remained a loyal fan of the Cubs, Bulls, and da Bears.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Duane and Janet Schnell of Kankakee, his brother Doug Schnell of Springfield, IL, paternal grandparents Raymond and Helen Schnell and maternal grandparents Arthur and Margaret Benscoter, all of Kankakee.

Surviving are his brother and sister-in-law, Kim and Robin Schnell of Portsmouth, NH and several nieces and nephews.