Melvin L. Schneider, 87, of Dunkirk passed away Saturday morning, March 7, 2026 at the Chautauqua Nursing & Rehabilitaiton Center after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Melvin was born on November 25, 1938, in Dunkirk, the son of the late Louis and Anna (Krouise) Schneider. He graduated from Dunkirk High School and later attended Buffalo State University. During his school years, he participated in the high school military cadet program and the drum and bugle corps. He later served in the United States Navy, though his service was cut short due to an active-duty injury.
Melvin spent more than 36 years working for the Dunkirk Ice Cream Company as a truck driver. Known on the CB radio by the handle "Frosty Fingers," he took pride in his work and the friendships he built along the way.
Known to most family and friends as "Porky" or "Uncle Porky," Melvin was a man who truly never met a stranger. He was liked by everyone and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. With a quick wit and a great sense of humor, he loved making people laugh and had a special way of turning strangers into lifelong friends.
Melvin enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life. In his younger years he loved cars and belonged to a local car club in the 1950s. He also enjoyed bowling, golf, and spending time on the water. He volunteered as a Junior Bowling Coach at Lucky Lanes, helping young bowlers develop both skill and confidence.
He loved to travel with family and friends, especially taking cruises around the world. No matter where he went, he always seemed to make new friends along the way.
Family was always at the center of Melvin’s life. One of his favorite daily traditions was enjoying breakfast with friends at Jenna’s Café, where laughter and conversation were always part of the morning routine.
Melvin was also known for the little things that made him unforgettable. He was famous for wearing shorts and sneakers year-round -- even in the middle of a Dunkirk snowstorm. He enjoyed his rum and cokes, loved making homemade sauerkraut, and was always ready with a joke to brighten someone's day.
Melvin was a member of several clubs and organizations throughout the Dunkirk community and made many lifelong friendships over the years.
Melvin is survived by the love of his life, Bonnie Lee Schneider; his children, Kim Schneider-Lynch (fiancé Greg Baysden), Kevin Schneider (wife Dawn Schneider) and Eric Schneider (wife Indira Rocha-Schneider); grandchildren, Christopher (Morgan Bell) Lynch, Ashley (Rusty) Lynch-Perry, Nicole (Ian) LaBrie-Shuler, Jessica (John) LaBrie-Lehtinen, Valeria Rocha-Schneider, Sebastian Rocha-Schneider and Dylan Schneider; great-grandchildren, Aila LaBrie and Miles Lehtinen; his sister, Joyce Johnson; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Melvin was preceded in death by his sisters, Lois Faircloth and Shirley Miller; and his nephews, Michael Spencer and Richard Johnson.
Relatives and friends are welcome to attend calling hours on Friday, March 13 from 4:00-7:00 PM at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home, 736 Central Avenue in Dunkirk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 14 at 10:00 AM at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, 1032 Central Avenue in Dunkirk. Military Honors will be held by the Dunkirk Joint Veterans Council immediately following the Mass. Interment will be held in Willowbrook Park Cemetery.
Arrangements are by R. Michael Mackowiak III. Share condolences at www.mcgrawkowalfuneralhome.com.
