Dean P. Schnetzer

Dean Paul Schnetzer
October 6th, 1950 - August 21st 2023

Dean passed away on Monday, August 21st at night after a 10 month battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife (Tama), his three children (Jesse, Nicole, and Brendan), their spouses (Joseph and Jennifer), his four grandchildren (Jewel, Jordan, Emma, and Madison), and his siblings (Debbie and Brian). He will always be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend.

He grew up in Terryville, graduating from Longwood High School and Stony Brook University. An avid guitarist and songwriter, he spent his college years at Stony Brook – which he always described as the “Berkeley of the East Coast” in the 70s – attending concerts of all the biggest rock artists of the era. After graduating from Stony Brook with a Master’s Degree in literature, he continued his passion for music, playing in numerous bands and writing his own songs under the name Dean Jeffers. He began working at the Department of Social Services (DSS) for Suffolk County in 1974, where eventually he became Division Administrator for Family and Children’s Services for Suffolk County. Besides his passion for music and literature, nothing got him more excited than the Mets and Jets, both of whom he was often convinced before the start of the season had a great chance of winning it all that year. He was also known to hit the golf course whenever weather permitted and could be seen daily in the backyard working on his swing by all the neighbors.

He will be deeply missed by all. Visitation will be Saint James Funeral home at 1-5 PM on Saturday August 26th with a gathering at his home in Selden to follow.

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