Norman Christoph Schneider, MP^[1]

1888 - 1985  (96 years)

• Name	Norman Christoph Schneider
  Suffix	MP
  Born	9 Dec 1888	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
  Christened	14 Jul 1889	Church Of New Jerusalem, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Gender	Male
  Interesting	politics, story, business
  Military	118th Battalion WW1  [3]
  Military	WW1
  Residence	1891	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  	Swedenborgian
  Occupation	1911	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Engineer, father's Meat Factory
  Residence	1911	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  	Swedenborgian
  Occupation	1925	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  	Manufacturer
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-37584P
  Died	26 Aug 1985	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3, 5]
  Buried	Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  Person ID	I37584	Generations
  Last Modified	7 Nov 2024

  
  

  Father	John Metz Schneider,   b. 17 Feb 1859, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 23 Feb 1942, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 83 years)
  Mother	Helena Ahrens,   b. 1 Nov 1859, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 3 Nov 1944, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 85 years)
  Married	8 Nov 1883	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [7, 8, 9, 10]
  Family ID	F9859	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Ethel May Lapsley,   b. 31 Mar 1894, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 23 Sep 1988, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 94 years)
  Married		Norman Schneider and Ethel Lapsley on wedding day image from: Meet the Family by Betty G. Schneider 2007
  Children	1. Herbert John Schneider,   b. 5 Jul 1926, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 29 Jan 2006, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 79 years)   2. Howard George Schneider,   b. 18 Feb 1929, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 28 Mar 1988, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 59 years)
  Last Modified	12 Nov 2024
  Family ID	F26927	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Ethel May Lapsley,   b. 1894, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Married	20 May 1925	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  Last Modified	12 Nov 2024
  Family ID	F294304	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos		Norman C. Schneider from Waterloo Region Hall of Fame
  		Photograph taken by Norman

  
  

• Notes

  SCHNEIDER, Norman Christoph. Passed away, peacefully, at his home on Monday, August 26, 1985 aged 96 years. Mr. Schneider was Past Chairman of the Board of Directors of J. M. Schneider Inc. and an honorary director of the Heritage Group. He was the son of the late John M. Schneider and Helena (Ahrens) Schneider. Predeceased by his parents and his brothers Charles and Frederick. He is survived by his wife, Ethel (Lapsley) Schneider; his sister, Emma Siegner; his sons, Herbert and his wife Betty of Waterloo, Howard and his wife Betty Lou of Kitchener; a daughter Brita Hazell of Salem Ore.; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Educated in Berlin (Kitchener) schools, Mr. Schneider served five years with the Tuerk Tool and Engine Company, before joining his father's business in 1910 and becoming a stationary engineer. He retired in 1976 from J. M. Schneider Inc. after more than 65 years in the meat business . During the First World War, he served with the 118th battalion. For many years he was active in community affairs, serving with the Kitchener Young Men's Club, The Red Cross, The Kitchener Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Federated Charities, Salvation Army, Children's Aid, YMCA, University of Waterloo, St. Mary's Hospital, Doon Pioneer Village, K-W High School Board, Kitchener Citizen's Fire Prevention Committee, Waterloo Township Plowman's Association, Grand River Valley Conservation Commission, Kitchener Downtown Urban Renewal Development Committee and the Schneider Male Choir. He was a Member of Parliament for the riding of North Waterloo from 1952-1958. In 1966, he was awarded the Honary Degree of D.D.L. by Waterloo Lutheran University (now Wilfred Laurier University). In 1967, on the occasion of Canada's 100th birthday, he was awarded the Centennial medal. He was active in the development of aviation in this area, from 1930 at the founding of the Lexington Airport and in moving to the present Waterloo-Wellington Site in 1949. In 1973, the new terminal building at the Waterloo-Wellington Airport was named the Norman C. Schneider Terminal in recognition of his service. He was a founding member of the Chicopee Ski Club and awarded a life membership. He was a lifelong member of the Church of the Good Shepherd (Swedenborgian), serving 25 years as a Sunday school superintendent and member of the church board. There will be a private family funeral service at the Schreiter- Sandrock Funeral home, 51 Benton St., Kitchener, followed by cremation and interment at Woodland cemetery. Rev. Eric Allison officiating. There will be a public memorial service at the Church of the Good Shepherd, corner of Queen and Margaret Avenue, Kitchener, on Thursday, Sept. 5, 1985 at 4 p.m. and a reception following at the Centre in the Square KITCHENER-WATERLOO RECORD Tuesday, August 27, 1985 P.D15 ____________________ Schneider had major impact on businesses, recreation. By Susan Hoffman for the Record Born in Berlin (Kitchener) in 1888, Norman Schneider was a son of J. M. Schneider, founder of the meat-packing company bearing his name. He joined the business in 1911, serving as vice-president, president and chair man of the board and a director. He retired as chairman in 1970. Schneider had many interests beyond work. One of his numerous community initiatives was the formation of the Waterloo-Wellington Airport. He was involved in the establishment of the old Kitchener-Waterloo Airport on Lexington Road in Waterloo in 1930, and was later instrumental in the selection of the site of the present airport in Breslau. Schneider was a member of the Airport Commission from 1946 until 1971. In 1973, a building was named the Norman C. Schneider Airport Terminal in recognition of his 50 years of service to aviation. In 1936, Schneider covered the Olympics in Berlin, Germany, for the Kitchener Daily Record, and in 1939, he was the official movie photographer when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited Kitchener. Through the generosity of Schneider's family this film is available on video tape from the Victoria Park Historical Committee in Kitchener. Schneider was elected Liberal member of Parliament for Waterloo North in 1952 in a by-election called after L. O. Breithaupt was appointed lieutenant-governor. He was re-elected in 1953 and again in 1957, when the Liberals lost power after 22 years and Schneider was the only Liberal left between Toronto and Windsor. He lost his seat in a 1958 election when the Conservatives under John Diefenbaker took over. Schneider turned his avid love of skiing into a community project, encouraging the purchase of the Chicopee ski slopes by the Grand River Conservation Authority and the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo to preserve them for public use. In 1972, he was given a life membership in the ski club after 36 years of service on their behalf. Schneider was also a member of the Kitchener-Waterloo High School Board for nine years, an original director of the Kitchener-Waterloo Federated Appeal, a president of the Kitchener Young Men's Club and a director at Economical Mutual Insurance Co. for 15 years. Another great interest was Doon Pioneer Village, now Doon Heritage Cross Roads. He served on the board for many years and helped build its collection, donating a LeRoy car, an automobile made in (Berlin) Kitchener by the Good Brothers. Schneider died in 1985, at the age of 96. He was inducted into the Waterloo County Hall of Fame. KITCHENER-WATERLOO RECORD Saturday, February 5, 2000 ______________________ Ex-MP, business leader, Norman Schneider dies Norman C. Schneider, retired chairman of the board of J.M. Schneider Inc. and a former member of Parliament for Waterloo North died early today at his home. He was 96. A son of J.M. Schneider, founder of the third largest meat packing company in Canada, Norman Schneider was born in Berlin, now Kitchener, Dec. 9, 1888. After graduating from high school, he served an apprenticeship as a machinist from 1905-1911 with the Tuerk Engine and Tool Co. As youngsters, he and his brother, Fred, helped their father and took sausages in a horse and wagon to the Kitchener Farmers' Market. Norman joined the business in 1911 and rose through the company ranks, serving as vice-president, president, chairman of the board and a director. He retired as chairman in 1970. In the political field, Schneider won a 1952 byelection for the Liberals. The byelection was necessitated by the appointment of the late L.O.Breithaupt as lieutenant-governor of Ontario. He was re-elected in 1953 and in 1957. But in 1958, he was defeated by the late O.W. (Mike) Weichel, a Conservative. Among his many community endeavors was the Waterloo-Wellington Airport. He was involved in establishing the old Kitchener-Waterloo Airport on Waterloo's Lexington Road in 1930 and was instrumental in selecting the site at Breslau for the existing airport. Schneider was a member of the airport commission from its founding in 1946 until 1971. In 1973, a $103,000 terminal building was named the Norman C. Schneider Airport Terminal in recognition of his 50 years of service to aviation. Although he flew in everything from old Jennies to Tiger Moths and often took over the controls of other airplanes, he didn't become a pilot because his parents felt it was "irresponsible" of a married man with three children. He enlisted in the army in the First World War, took his 1915 Model-T Ford with him to Ottawa and was commissioned a lieutenant because of his experience in the local militia. But he never went overseas because he had had rheumatic fever as a youngster and had a heart murmur. In 1936, he covered the Olympics in Berlin for The Record and sent back stories about "heiling hordes" cheering Adolf Hitler. And in 1939, he was the official movie photographer for Kitchener when the King and Queen visited the city. An avid skier, he was given a life membership in the Chicopee Ski Club in 1972 after 38 years service. He started skiing in his 40's and continued for more than 40 years, finally giving it up at 88 because his legs "couldn't take it anymore." But he continued to walk at mile a day providing the weather was good. Schneider was a member of the Kitchener-Waterloo high school board for 9 years, an original director of the K-W Federated Appeal and a member of Grand River Lodge AF and AM. He also served on the boards of the University of Waterloo, the Children's Aid Society and St. Mary's Hospital, Kitchener. He was a member of the citizen's advisory committee of St. Jerome's college, a member of the Waterloo-Wellington Flying Club, a past president of the Kitchener Young Men's Club and a director for 15 years of the Economical Mutual Insurance Co. One of his greatest interests was the Doon Pioneer Village. He served on its governing board for many years and helped to establish many of the exhibits including a LeRoy car, the first production automobile built in Canada. Long after he retired form active business, Schneider enjoyed motorcyling throughout the Kitchener-Waterloo area, giving it up at the age of 85. In March 1977, he was given an honorary life membership to the Salvation Army advisory board in Kitchner because he had served on the 12-member body for a number of years. Surviving are his wife, two sons, one daughter and one sister. A public memorial service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 4 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Queen Street North and Margaret Avenue in Kitchener, followed by a reception at the Centre in the Square. The Kitchener-Waterlo Record 26 Aug 1985

  
  

• Sources

  [S3108] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 020799-25. Norman Christoph Schneider, 36, occ. Manufacturer, b. Kitchener, res. 145 S. Queen St. Kitchener, son of John M. Schneider (B. Kitchener) and Helena Ahrens Schneider Married Ethel May Lapsley, 31, occ. Private Secretary, b. Galt, res. 53 Courtland Ave. E. Kitchener, Spinster, daughter of William Lapsley (B. Galt) and Clara Jachomimi, Witnessed by: J.M. Schneider and Flossie L. Ahrens Both of Kitchener, 20 May 1925 in Kitchener [S137] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1901, Berlin (Town/Ville) A-10 Page 5. [S74] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Kitchener-Waterloo Record (1948-1994), August 27, 1985 - Obituary of Norman Christoph Schneider. [S340] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1911, Div. 22 Pg. 7. [S2] Church Records - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian). Norman Christ. b. 9 Dec 1889 bapt. 14 Jul 1889 s/o John & Helena Schneider [S1592] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1891, Section 3 Page 25. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 12202-83. John SCHNEIDER, 24, shoemaker, Canada, Berlin, s/o Christopher SCHNEIDER & Anna Elizabeth METZ, married Helena AHRENS, 24, Canada, Berlin, d/o Charles A. AHRENS & Henrietta ROTH, witn: Henry ROTH of Preston & Henry AHRENS of Berlin, 8 Nov 1883 at Berlin [S2] Church Records - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian). John Schneider Age: 24 res: Berlin Place of Birth: Berlin Names of Parents: Christ. Schneider & Anna El. Metz Name: Hellena Ahrens Age: 24 res: Berlin Place of Birth: Berlin Names of Parents: Chas. A. Ahrens & Henrietta Roth Name: Henry Roth res: Preston Name: Henry J. Ahrens res: Berlin Date of Marriage: Nov. 8, 1883 [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), 15 Nov 1883. Nov. 8, 1883 Helene Ahrens and John Schneider, both of Berlin, were married in Berlin by Pastor Türk [S1592] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1891, Section 3 Page 24.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 9 Dec 1888 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Christened - 14 Jul 1889 - Church Of New Jerusalem, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Swedenborgian - 1891 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Engineer, father's Meat Factory - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Swedenborgian - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Manufacturer - 1925 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Married - 20 May 1925 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - 26 Aug 1985 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth