George Hans Schnabel

Passed Tuesday, October 15, 2019. He was born in Vienna, Austria on February 28, 1930 and emigrated in 1941 from occupied Czechoslovakia to the United States where he settled with his mother and elder brother in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Midwood High School and served in the US Army from 1953-1955 after which he worked in the retail textile field in Northern Ohio and Western New York State. Eventually he decided to change the direction of his career; possessing an extensive knowledge of fine wine and spirits, as well as being competent in five languages. He became the first Sommelier of the Changing Scene Restaurant at the top of Rochester's First Federal Tower in 1977. Mr. Schnabel also received an Associates degree in Food Service Management from Monroe Community College in 1981. He spent the latter part of his life as a wine consultant at Century Liquor and Wines from 1980 to his retirement in 2007.


George Schnabel was also an avid wine collector himself and a fervent proponent of local and regional American wineries. He was a dedicated outdoorsman, a skilled kayaker, a member of the American Canal Association and a well informed short wave radio enthusiast. Most importantly, Mr. Schnabel was a devoted husband, father and grandfather as well as a generous and loyal friend. He will be deeply missed and his passing leaves a void in many lives. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sharon; younger brother, Thomas Stephens; son, Peter Schnabel; daughter-in-law, Victoria Schnabel; and grandson, Gregory Schnabel.


In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that donations be made to the Humane Society at Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY 14450 (lollypop.org).