Family, friends and neighbors gathered at the Oceanside Library’s outdoor patio on March 8 for a memorial bench dedication honoring the life and legacy of longtime community member Gary Schoell.
The heart-warming ceremony — hosted by the Friends of the Oceanside Library and the Oceanside Council of PTAs — celebrated Schoell’s decades of quiet service to the community and recognized his lasting impact on the library and town he called home for nearly four decades.
Schoell, 66, died Feb. 5, 2021, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. A devoted husband, father, grandfather and volunteer, Schoell was remembered as someone whose contributions often happened behind the scenes but were deeply felt by those around him.
Tony Iovino, the library’s former assistant director, opened the ceremony, reflecting on Schoell’s role in shaping the library and the community.
“We are delighted to finally be able to recognize our good friend Gary,” Iovino said. “He was a friend to the community. He was always there as a coach, as a supporter, as a steadfast rock.”
The bench was donated in Schoell’s honor and will serve as a permanent tribute to his dedication to lifelong learning, organizers of the March 8 ceremony said.
Chris Marra, the library’s director, said the memorial reflects the values Schoell championed during his years of service to the organization.
“It is an honor to have this bench at the library, that will provide comfort, joy and learning to patrons of all ages,” Marra said. “We thank Gary Schoell and his family for all his contributions. It’s a true honor.”
Schoell’s wife, Sandie, serves as a trustee on the Oceanside Board of Education and has long been active in numerous community organizations.
The Oceanside Council of PTAs also supported the dedication and helped fund the bench.
Tara Brasch, the council’s past president, said the Schoell family’s commitment to Oceanside extends far beyond any single organization.
“What the Schoell family means to the community can’t even be put into words,” Brasch said. “Sandie, in our day-to-day lives, is so much more than a PTA mom to all of us. Without the Schoells, I don’t know what Oceanside would be. We’re honored to participate, even in a small way, in recognizing Gary.”
During the ceremony, Schoell’s sons, Michael and Christopher, shared memories of their father, reflecting on his life, character and devotion to family and community.
Christopher described his father as a hardworking and selfless man who prioritized his family above all else.
“My dad was selfless,” he said. “He loved his family and did everything he could to help my brother and I have the best opportunity to succeed. Every part of who I am today is because of him.”
Born Feb. 20, 1954 in Queens, Schoell graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and economics from St. John’s University, where he also played baseball and was a Rhodes Scholar candidate. He later earned his Master of Business Administration from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
He met Sandie while attending St. John’s, and the couple married in 1977 before settling in Oceanside, where they raised their two sons.
Professionally, Schoell spent more than 30 years working in financial services technology on Wall Street, including more than two decades at Citigroup before finishing his career at JPMorgan Chase. After retiring in 2017, he remained active in the community and pursued a career in real estate.
Outside of work, Schoell dedicated much of his time to community service. He served on the board of the Friends of the Oceanside Library, including as its first treasurer, and coached youth sports through Oceanside Little League and the Oceanside United Soccer Club.
Iovino said Schoell’s work was instrumental in the growth and success of the library.
“He handled those duties as he handled most everything — with dignity, professionalism and attention to detail,” he said.
Even though Schoell was often described as quiet, his influence was unmistakable, Iovino said.
“He hated the spotlight and left that to others,” he said. “But it was his advice and support that made many things in this library and this community happen.”
Michael said the library was a fitting place to honor his father because it represents two values that defined his life: education and community.
“If he were here today, knowing that his name is associated with this place would mean so much to him,” Michael said. “He cared so deeply about being part of the community and doing right by the people around him.”
For family members and residents alike, the bench now serves as both a place of reflection and a reminder of a man whose quiet generosity helped shape the town.
As Iovino noted during the ceremony, the memorial reflects the role Schoell played in so many lives.
“I’m delighted that we’re remembering him with this bench, that will provide comfort and a safe place for patrons,” he said,” much as Gary did for this, for his family, his friends and this community. We miss him, and he will always be in our hearts and memories.”
