Matyas "Matty" Schneider

Matyas “Matty” Schneider, age 89, passed away peacefully at home with his family on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

Born in Kópháza, Hungary on April 3, 1936, he was the fifth of seven sons born to the late Ferenc and Katarina (Klemencic). He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Margaret “Peggy” (McCaffrey), their five daughters, and fourteen grandchildren. Daughter Tracey (Gates) and grandchildren Matty, Nathan, Joseph and Grace; Daughter Melissa (Scott Duff); Daughter Monica (Shawn Foley) and grandchildren Caleb, Caitlin, Claire, Patrick and Liam; Daughter Magdaline (Jason Earl) and grandchildren Emmy and Abby; and Daughter Ruth (Clark Beard) and grandchildren Will, Maggie and Mac. He is also survived by his younger brother Karl (Julie – Hungary) and numerous nieces and nephews both in Hungary and the United States. He is preceded in death by his brothers Frank (Hungary), Martin (US), Les (Canada), John (Hungary), and Steve (Hungary).

Matty left Hungary during the 1956 Russian occupation, temporarily gaining refuge in Austria, and ultimately immigrating to the United States. He arrived in New York, joined the Army, and after discharge from the service, met the love of his life, who was selling tickets to a dance at a Catholic church. They soon married and had 3 lovely daughters while living in New York before they relocated to Florida where the family grew by 2 –daughters of course, and he was happy to keep up the tradition. Upon early retirement from Xerox in 1987, they moved to North Carolina which has been home ever since.

Matty was a devoted and faithful Catholic, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was happiest spending time with his wife, family and friends. He often called out “Mamazie” (the amazing one) even when she wasn’t home and was so joyful when they reunited, typically after the shortest of separations. With his deep devotion to Peggy, he naturally learned to love the color blue and occasionally let her win at cards.

He called his children frequently just to say I love you, and if he got your voicemail, it was pretty much the same voicemail he left every time. It was a requirement for his bank to offer free coffee and he knew all the tellers by name. He was a Knight with the Knights of Columbus, skilled Habitat volunteer, and a tireless and generous organic gardener. He rarely met an animal that didn’t come when he called, loved making wine from any fruit at hand, and treasured taking adventures in his beloved mountains while mushrooming. It was a source of great joy when Skype first became available, and he spent countless hours reconnecting with his family and friends in Hungary. Later in life,
there was a larger focus on indoor occupations like Fox News or Hogan’s Heroes reruns, but he never tired of visitors especially his grandchildren. He loved to hear stories of the grandchildren’s escapades and the funny thing they said today. He often stated I love my children and I love my grandchildren…more. He was joyfully whisked off once a week with the ROMEOs, Retired Old Men Eating Out, and he couldn’t tell you what they talked about but will never forget the day when someone bought these lively veterans their meal in thanksgiving for their service. He has always waited patiently after church for Peggy to finish her prayers or visiting, but that’s where he happily did his best work in retirement – greeting the visitors to the parish, smiling at the little ones, sitting with the lonely ones and laughing with the familiar ones. He was the face of Jesus in his joyful embrace of every soul lucky enough to come sit near him. We’ve been gradually losing him to dementia and the frailty of the body, but he will be forever strong in our hearts. We know that he’s now at peace in Heaven and receiving his eternal reward.

Family and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass at St. Barnabas Catholic Church, 109 Crescent Hill Rd, Arden, NC 28704 on Friday, January 23, 2026. His wife, Peggy, will lead the rosary starting at 1:30pm followed by the Holy Mass at 2pm. Afterwards, there will be a reception in the church social hall.

Livestream will be available for the Funeral Mass at the St. Barnabas Catholic Church
youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@st.barnabascatholicchurch-2319/streams

Family and friends are also invited to his burial at Western Carolina State Veteran’s Cemetery, 962 Old US Hwy 70, Black Mountain, NC 28711 on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 12pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St Barbabas Catholic Church.

Donation Link: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/0e50dd36-2936-4d00-96e6-7b14ae46c60d

Learn More about St. Vincent de Paul: https://saintbarnabasarden.org/st-vincent-de-paul