George Michael Schneider, age 87, of Stratford, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, February 3, 2016. He was the devoted husband of 59 years to Lois, the sunshine of his life.

As a tax accountant for most of his life, George was a man who appreciated facts and figures. So here are some basic facts of his life. He was born on January 6, 1929, in York, Pennsylvania, the eldest son of George and Ruth Schneider. After graduating from York Catholic High School, he was drafted into the Army and served from 1950-52, during the height of the Korean War. However, he was not sent overseas but was stationed in Louisiana among crawfish, not communists. His children and grandchildren are grateful for that.

After his discharge, George entertained visions of becoming a cartoonist, even enrolling in and attending art school for an entire week. That week was enough to convince him that he was more comfortable with a balance sheet than a blank canvas. He graduated from Penn State with a degree in accounting in 1955. He quickly landed a job with General Electric in Bridgeport in their financial management program and moved to Connecticut, which proved fortuitous.

In March 1956 George went on a blind date with Lois Brinkerhoff of Trumbull. He thought he'd come across as a real hepcat in his zoot suit and blue suede shoes, but…well…she married him anyway in September that year. While George was a man of numbers, his number one was always Lois. He was not a gambling man, but in marrying Lois, he felt that he had won the lottery. He had.

George supported Lois and five children by working at GE for 36 years, retiring in 1991. But much like art school, he quickly learned that retirement wasn't for him, so he immediately found work at Carter's Children's Wear, again as a tax accountant. He thus spent his retirement doing what he most enjoyed and excelled at…working.

George found comfort in simple routine and ritual, from calculating taxes to grabbing the same corner booth at Dunkin' Donuts every Friday. At restaurants he didn't need to see the menu; Italian meant sausage pizza and pasta e fagioli, Chinese was egg foo young.

All this might give the impression that George was set in his ways, but in one significant respect he was not. When he learned in 1992 that his oldest son Donald had AIDS, he underwent a religious transformation. Good accountant that he was, he examined his beliefs and calculated that the bottom line was unconditional love for his cherished son. His faith journey eventually led him to the Episcopal Church, where he felt at home because of its affirming stance on equality.

After Donald's death in 1993, George and Lois both became advocates for LGBT people. Marching in the NYC Pride Parade in 2000 was a life-changing experience for them both. They arrived wanting simply to march, but George was asked to carry a banner and was overwhelmed at the outpouring of love that he and Lois received from total strangers. This event enabled him to find his voice on LGBT issues, for which he advocated in letters, in demonstrations, and in person to anyone who would listen.

George never cultivated any hobbies, but he enjoyed listening to swing music (Benny Goodman was his favorite) and watching old movies, many of which he knew by heart (Bad Day at Black Rock, Shane). A lifelong sports fan, he agonized over every inning of Yankees' games and every second of UCONN basketball.

George's family was his life. He and Lois were blessed with six children, including their precious Baby Boy, who died two hours after his birth in December 1958. Survivors include their son Stephen Schneider of Mystic and his daughter Catherine; daughter Gail and her husband Darryl Williams of Stratford and their children Thomas Haggerty, Amanda Williams, Justin Williams; son Michael Schneider and his wife Linda of Roxbury and their children Clayton, Jack, Luke; and son Reverend John Schneider and his wife Sandy of Seoul, Korea. Also surviving George are a brother David Schneider and his wife Gloria of Falmouth, Massachusetts, and their family, along with several nieces and nephews. George's brother, also named Donald, pre-deceased him in 1954.

George never liked to be late for an appointment, or even on time; he had to arrive early. True to form, he leaves this life too soon but he leaves behind a legacy of love. May he rest now and forever in God's peace.

The service will be private. In lieu of flowers, anyone desiring may send a gift to Sterling House, 2283 Main St., Stratford, CT 06615, in support of their food pantry.