Brian Schneider

Brian Keith Schneider, 78, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away April 13, 2025, after a long illness, he was surrounded by his loving family and friends. Born January 26, 1947 in Covington, Kentucky to Hilda and Stanley Schneider, he attended Boone County High School and a graduate of the University of Kentucky, majoring in Business. Brian was also a veteran and served in the U.S. Army. Brian grew up playing football and baseball, that turned into a lifelong love as he never missed a UK Wildcat Basketball or Football game.

Brian was known to his family and friends as 'Skip' and as Papa to his grandchildren. Brian met the love of his life, Albesa 'Bessie' Esquierdo, while working in Jacksonville as he opened the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Their first date was to see a launch from Cape Canaveral and were never apart after. He adopted her children as his own. He traveled all over the United States for business as he initially worked for Hilton companies and eventually began his long career for ARA Services, now known as Aramark, in the fine dining and hospitality sector. Some of his career accomplishments include opening the Gund Arena in 1994, now known as the Rocket Arena in Cleveland Ohio, and was given an award from ARA. He became a troubleshooter for ARA and traveled to different cities to open a new facilities or coordinate and manage large events where thousands would attend. Some places he worked were the Hearst Castle in CA, Memphis Chicks in TN, Circus World in Orlando, eventually opening the Prime Osborn Convention Center in 1986, which opened with the King Tut Exhibit. He eventually moved on to manage the contract for NYRA facilities of Belmont, Aquaduct and Saratoga race tracks and would also help at Ellis Island before the grand opening to the public. Brian then moved to the Pittsburgh Arena, and while he was there, the Penquins played their championship wins in 1991 and 1992, he actually touched the Stanley Cup on more than one occasion, and he helped at Three Rivers stadium as well. He would go to help at big conventions held at Baltimore, New Orleans and Dallas and also helped at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO, back in the 90's when the Rockies expansion team began playing. His final event with Aramark was the 1996 Atlanta Olympics where he managed the new facility for track and field that eventually became the new Atlanta Braves stadium now known as Truist Park. After Aramark, Brian moved on to management with Cracker Barrel, so he could be closer to home with his family, until he retired. Brian and Bessie, loved to travel and visited many national / state parks across the U.S. like Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier National Parks.

Brian is survived by his wife Bessie Esquierdo, children Sandra (Michael) Griffis, Johnny Esquierdo and Robert Esquierdo, his grandchildren, Erik Esquierdo, Caroline Esquierdo and Madison Espling-Esquierdo and his favorite, great grandson Andrew Esquierdo. His loving sister, Dawn Schneider Grant, and his brother, Stan Schneider, and many beloved nephews and nieces, great nephews and great nieces and his cousins, whom he all adored.

Brian is preceded in death by his parents Hilda and Stanley Schneider, and his sister Terrie Rabe and brother in law, Jack Rabe, and daughter in law, Susan M. Walsh.

A memorial service is planned in the near future with the surviving members of his family near Covington, Kentucky.