Matthew Wayne Schnorf

It is with a heavy heart to share some tragic news with you all. On October 28, 2023 our loving husband, father and grandfather, Matthew Wayne Schnorf, passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully at the age of 63 in Lewiston, California.

Matthew Schnorf was born in Watsonville, California on June 6, 1960 to Mary and Virgil Schnorf. He had two younger siblings, Jeanette Schnorf (Chris Rogers) and Mark Schnorf (Barbara Yeoman), whom he adored. He grew up in Santa Cruz County, graduating from Watsonville High School in 1978. A few short years later, he met his soulmate Annie Marie Goulart and married on July 27, 1985. Matt and Annie worked, traveled, and sought out the fun in life before welcoming their first child into the world in 1991. Ryan Matthew Schnorf was born July 23, 1991 in Monterey, California. Enjoying parenthood so much, they decided to try again. On July 19, 1996 the couple introduced Ashley Marie Schnorf (Morris) to the world. Their lives were complete. They had the little boy and baby girl they had dreamt of. Matthew enjoyed being a parent and husband. He spent his weekends with his children at football games, basketball games, Hollister Hills, racing at the local dirt track, hunting, traveling, deep sea salmon fishing, or lake fishing. He loved to travel with Annie, creating beautiful memories in Mexico, New Orleans, Montana, Alaska, and many spontaneous road trips that had no reservations or structured plans, just pure adventure and excitement. Their latest adventure brought them to Trinity County, where they purchased their dream retirement home on the Trinity River in Lewiston. This is where Matt found his peace in life and had many dreams of fly fishing to catch world-class Steelhead and Salmon. They planned on celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in their new home, in a new place, with loved ones.

Matthew was a dedicated worker, providing for his family. His career began at Walkins Johnson Machine Shop, shortly after graduating high school. He realized then that he has a profound interest in machining and using his hands to make a living. A few years later, he was hired by Teledyne McCormick (Pacific Scientific) on April 1st, 1981. He was proudly employed at PacSci for 42 years before he decided to retire. Although he was ready for retirement, the change was difficult. He loved his work family and he loved working for a cause that was greater than oneself. Matt was also a volunteer firefighter for several years. He volunteered at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, for the California Fish and Wildlife as a Hunter Education Instructor and for Moose Lodge 2719. He had a giving and loving soul.

As many of you know, Matt was a jokester. He spent much of his time reminiscing with friends, sharing stories of his wild self in his younger years. He also enjoyed being a grandfather, or "papa", to his beloved granddaughter Ava Reign Morris. He loved nothing more than her hugs, loves, kisses, and spoiling her with outfits, toys, and sweet treats.

Matt was an outstanding father, a supportive and compassionate companion, the best papa, a great friend, and a hero to many. He was loved by many, and his passing has been extremely difficult for his family and friends. We find comfort in knowing that he passed in his place of peace and is now with his mother and father, walking with the Lord.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Mary and Virgil Schnorf. He is survived by his wife, Annie Marie Schnorf (Goulart), his two children, Ryan Matthew Schnorf and Ashley Marie Morris (Derrick Earl Morris Jr.), his granddaughter Ava Reign Morris, as well as his sister Jeanette Rogers (Chris Rogers) and brother Mark Schnorf (Barbara Schnorf).

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday December 2, 2023 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm at the Watsonville Elks Lodge in Watsonville, California.

Published in The Pajaronian · November 20, 2023