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Sean Schielke Obituary
A Foosball aficionado, a fanatic U. Conn. fan, a knower of all the Jeopardy questions, Sean Schielke had a very gentle soul and an enormous heart. And he couldn't pass any of those gumball machines without putting in a quarter and grabbing a ring.
His girlfriend of four years, Sarah Christie, remembers the dozens of oysters at a surprise party he threw for her, the Art Deco-style vanity he carried home three blocks, a gift for no occasion, and the support he showed her while she was in graduate school.
"He was just so generous, and always just really there for people," she said. "We must've moved all of my friends in and out of this apartment, and in and out of fifth- floor walkups."
Mr. Schielke, 27, an international bond trader with Cantor Fitzgerald, had a twin brother, Brandon. "Within five or ten minutes of knowing him, you'd leave with a smile," his brother recalled.
Ms. Christie misses the way she and her boyfriend took pride in each other's successes. "We had a vision of our future, just something we believed in, it was always in our minds," she said. "It's so hard to relinquish something like that, because it's so real in your mind. But you have to."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Angela Sinopoli - Thomaston, CT
September 11, 2022
Thinking of you every 9/11. Always remembered and never forgotten. Rest In Peace. Prayers to the Schielke family.
Jordan Hutch
December 18, 2021
Rest In Peace Sean. You are not forgotten and you will always be remembered. Your family and friends are in my prayers. God bless
Peggy Burke
September 12, 2021
Hello to the Schielke Family -
I am a member of Old St. Patrick's Church in Chicago. A week after the 9/11 tragedy, our church held a memorial service for all those who died on 9/11. Each of us who attended were given a card with the name of someone who was lost that day. I was given a card with Sean's name on it. I prayed for Sean that day and have remembered him ever since. I have kept that card with me to remind me of how precious life is. On this 20th anniversary, please know that I keep you and your family in my heart.
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McKenzie Sean Schielke
January 14, 2021
We all miss you! Grandma loves telling me stories about you.
Gina Vitale Manning
September 11, 2020
19 Years....talked about you again today to my kids, family & friends. Such a great person...
Greg Vasso
September 11, 2020
Think about Sean every 9/11 - tragic loss for so many as is the case here - such a great guy , so young, such a promising future.
Matt Despres
September 11, 2020
Thinking of you and your family. 19 years today - does not seem possible. So many great memories.
Maureen Hopkins
December 18, 2019
Happy Birthday in Heaven Sean. God bless you always. Happy Birthday to your twin brother Brandon still here on Earth. As the mother of twin boys, I can only imagine the devastating pain your loss has caused your brother. May God comfort his heart. Never forgotten!
Gina (Vitale) Manning
September 11, 2019
Thinking of you today Sean
Joe Hayes
September 11, 2019
RIP buddy
Jason Cochran
September 11, 2017
Remembering your kindness to me.
My condolences to your loved ones.
Gina
September 11, 2016
Smiled & said a nice hello to every stranger I encountered today in your memory. That's what I remember most about you....that big smile & overwhelming happiness....
Michele Green
September 11, 2016
Thinking of the Schielke family today. God Bless
Karen Lee
September 11, 2015
Can't believe it has been 14 years! Old roommate! Great guy! So much fun. I think about u a lot! You'll love this. I have twins of my own now!
Joe Lata
September 11, 2015
We had some great times together at UConn that I'll have with me forever. Herm and I contact each other every year on 9/11 to share some memories of you.
Gina
September 11, 2015
Sean, sending thoughts of peace & love to you & your family.
So hard to believe 14 years have gone by. Rest peacefully my friend
Jason Cochran
May 23, 2015
You were a good friend to me in 7th Grade when I had no friends. Thank you for being there,my friend.
G
September 11, 2014
I come to your page on this day every year. I force myself to read all 11 pages (and counting) of the thoughts, prayers and memories the people who loved you have shared. It is as heartbreaking in the 13th year as it was in the 1st. Miss you friend.
Dawn H.
September 11, 2014
Thinking about you and your family today. Miss you.
September 11, 2014
I think about you all the time and still miss you very much my friend.
-J L
Gina
September 11, 2014
Thinking of you Sean! Your smile and fun loving nature will never be forgotten...
Jerry S
September 11, 2014
RIP old friend!
Megan O'Marra Legault
September 10, 2014
On the eve of the 13th year without you, I reflect on how much I miss your smile, your generosity and just hanging out with you. Miss you buddy, you were one a million and live on our hearts.
K O
May 21, 2014
Thinking about you a bunch today buddy. Seeing your smile on this page always brings a tearful smile to my face. Miss you every day.
September 12, 2013
Thought about you many times yesterday Sean. I told my 5 year old son about you. He asked if you were nice. I said "yes, he was nice. Very, very nice". You were an amazing person and will never be forgotten...
September 11, 2013
Love you and you will always be remembered. I have heard a few about you today;)
September 11, 2013
Love you!
September 12, 2012
Sean,
Thought about you many times yesterday. You were such a great friend to so many people. You really will never be forgotten. You are in our hearts/minds all the time.
K O
September 11, 2012
Thinking about you even more than usual today my friend.
September 11, 2012
Sean- 11 years seems impossible. It's like no time has passed. Miss you and think about you every day. I have a frame with a picture of you one side and Jason on the other with Bette, in my kitchen. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you and miss you and all the great times we all had together. Love you, Shep xo
Gina
September 11, 2012
Sean, thinking of you today....
Matt Despres
September 12, 2011
Sean. 10 years has come and passed yet my memories of our friendship remain so vivid and clear. Spent time at "your" nursery yesterday with my family. Your memory will live on there and everywhere forever. I explained for the first time there to my oldest son what happened that day, why your name was on the plaque and how that land was donated by the graciousness of your family. Each year my perspective of that day changes as my children grow and the remind me more and more of our youth.
You were robbed from us too early but you will never be forgotten.
All my best to your family. Your memory will always serve as a life lesson that endless amounts of generations will learn from.
K O
September 12, 2011
Another year my friend. I still think of you almost daily and am grateful for all the time we spent together for 2 very formative years in our lives at UConn. I still can't get through listening to the Stones' "Wild Horses" without a tear coming to my eye. Miss you buddy. Keep smiling down on us, we need it.
September 12, 2011
Sean would give you the shirt off his back, the keys to his car, anything he could if he felt he could help you. Selfless and caring. The list would never end literally. Never one without a smile. I just know your looking down on all of us smiling now.
rob stearns
September 11, 2011
fun, funny, warm, welcoming... thanks for the times we hung out. The short walk from 3b to Red house didn't happen often enough.
I hope your family and many many friends have been able to heal from the tragedy of your loss.
Former Teacher
September 11, 2011
I remember a young boy with a smile as big as the great outdoors and a sweetness that quickly endeared him to anyone within a foot of his presence. I would watch you and Matt working on projects together - so in sync, so “adult like” in your give and take and setting the pace for all your peers. That tilt of the head when you were in a playful mood, your eyes dancing with that signature curiosity only a youngster would have. I well remember when planning for your placement the next year, remarking how wherever you went, your presence would inspire a sense of fun and set an example of compassion and cooperation well beyond your tender years. Lucky me!
I also remember when my colleague and dear friend broke the news to me that you had perished in this tragedy. Though I never had the good fortune to reconnect with you since you left my classroom, I recalled instantly that wonderful, engaging smile of yours, that gentle spirit. Lucky me, indeed.
Godspeed - I hope you are sitting in the lap of angels.
Love,
Mrs. N
dave watkins
September 11, 2011
You are missed! Still have the I hear NY tshirt you got me years ago when I went to visit Dave P. !!
Gina (Vitale) Manning
September 11, 2011
Sean, thinking of you today. You were such a fun, amazing friend and when I think of UConn I always think you. Sending peaceful thoughts to your family...
September 10, 2011
Sean you were special so many people think of you often.
Gretchen Streeter
September 10, 2011
I still smile when I think about you, Sean. You were really something special. My best to your family.
Kate
September 10, 2011
Thinking of you and your family on this approaching 10th anniversary. I am sure you are watching over them now and not a second goes by without them thinking of you.
September 9, 2011
You are not forgotten. Peace be with you and your family.
September 9, 2011
Love you and think of you all the time
Dawn Higginson
September 9, 2011
To Sean's family,
I say a prayer every year for Sean and all of you that lost him ten years ago. Sean was always so nice to me at PHS. Thinking of you this weekend. Dawn, PHS Class of 1991
September 6, 2011
Thinking of you...
rebecca aka Reba Coax
September 5, 2011
Sean, my friend from the "boys" red house at Carriage House Lane. Although the UConn days are behind us, you are thought of often. I am in touch with Lilian and have hear that Jennie is a married mother! I saw Ryan at my HS reunion. You are always with us, and think of you often. Peace, Love Huskies, and all the stuff I shouldn't print!
Love, Reba or Reeebs as Ryan Mcmanus and Devin Young, (RIP) say.
April 6, 2011
UCONN Champs again:)
Carol Green
March 20, 2011
Dear Sean,
You touched our lives in a very special way. I'll never forget you.
Love always,
Carol
September 11, 2010
Shed tears for you today, as always.
September 11, 2010
we all wish you were still here Sean...Joe in Baghdad
September 13, 2009
Miss you Big Buddy!
Matt Despres
September 11, 2009
Sean....Doesn't seem possible that 8 years have passed...today, like many others you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jerome Salwierz
September 11, 2009
RIP MY FRIEND!
Sally McClure
September 11, 2009
Dear Pattie and Ken,
Not a year goes by since that awful day eight years ago, that I don't think of you with love and compassion for all that you have endured. Each year when I get out the little pin that was given at Sean's service and pin it to my jacket, I say a prayer for all of you and spend the day looking at the 'symbol' of our great nation, the American flag, and reflecting on those who lost their lives.
You are in my thoughts and may it help to know that you were blessed to have had Sean with you for 27 years. His spirit will always be with you.
Love to you both,
Sally Bassett
September 11, 2009
Miss you and thinking of you. Always think of you and Bran lugging in all my crap when I would come stay with you guys! Everyone still misses and loves you just as much as ever. xo
Gus Cordero
July 27, 2009
Thinking of you today Sean. I still remember the great times we had at DLJ.
From the DLJ Boys
K O
October 4, 2008
Hey Seany, thanks for being being present in my memories and dreams.
Your ability to touch lives and make people smile carries on even in death.
Much love my friend.
Kevin O
College Roomate
September 12, 2008
Thoughts and prayers for Sean and his family at this time of year. You are missed my friend.
Megan
September 11, 2008
Miss your smiling face Sean. As always, you are in my thoughts.
Jerome S
September 11, 2008
Hi Sean!
Thinking of you today! Today's memorials brought me great reflection on memories of you and our times but most importantly prayers for you and your family that today they find the strength to get through another 9/11 anniversary. May all of you find joy in knowing Sean is looking upon us all with that smile we see in that picture! God Bless you buddy!
A Friend
September 11, 2008
Sean,
Thinking of you on this day. May your family be blessed with guidance to make it through this day.
-Middlebury, CT
Shep
September 11, 2008
Thinking about you a lot today, but every day I see your picture and remember lots of funny/great times. I know you are looking out, always, and you are so missed! Love and miss you. Love-Shep xo
September 11, 2008
Hi Sean,
Thinking about you today...
Doug Abraham
December 18, 2007
Happy Birthday!!!
Chris Bardugone
October 15, 2007
Six years have passed and for some reason the story of that day was told today at work and I thought of you and your brother and family. I just wanted to reach out and let you know I was thinking about you. I live in FL now and Im trying to reach Brandon, so if you read this Brandon get in touch with me and lets get a drink.
Bardugone
Kent Harris
October 4, 2007
6 years have evaporated - Almost impossible to imagine, but it is true - the sting is wearing off enough from that day so to allow people to move on and instead of completely being in mourning - begin to truly celebrate the individuals that were taken from us. Sean was a Childhood friend that always treated people with respect through his incredible sense of self, charm and integrity. He made a great impression on me and others that were fortunate to ever come into contact with him. This guy was hilarious! I remember making this parody home movie of a certain spanish teacher at Pomperaug with he, Ciccone and Brandon (I think there may have been someone else. I think I have a copy somewhere and maybe should post it on YouTube :) - Assuming no one objects.
I look back now on that day with a sense of hope. Hope that people will remember to give the people that they love and are in their lives an extra squeeze or two and stop to really get lost in one another more often. We aren't here for very long - Sean's absence underscores this notion. My wife lost hundreds people in in her company so we have felt this together.
Brandon - if you read this - you and your family are in my families thoughts consistently. Also and incidentally, I have located some copies of us playing Pop Warner! Classic!
Jerome Salwierz
September 12, 2007
Forever in our prayers...you and your family! Keep smiling Sean!
Regards...
Jerome Salwierz & Family
Dani
September 11, 2007
Thinking of you today...
Matt Despres & Family
September 11, 2007
Sean,
Thinking a lot about you and your family today, as I often do. As a parent of 8 month old twins now, I find myself thinking of you and Brandon on a whole other level. 6 years may have past and it doesn't seem possible for that much time to already gone by, but your memory remains strong. It's hard to tell any K-12 story without mentioning you. God Bless to you and your family. Matt, Vanessa, Will, Andrew, and Ava.
kristine
May 21, 2007
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
P Tabbernor
March 3, 2007
In remembrance....
John Wald
February 5, 2007
I did not know Sean but went to school with Brandon at FAU. Brandon always spoke highly of his brother, and since I am an only child, I can not imagine what Brandon felt after losing his twin brother.
December 23, 2006
Happy (belated)B-day. Your always in our minds.
Jerome Salwierz & Family
September 12, 2006
Hey Buddy!
WOW! 5 years! What a time that has gone on but one thing remains constant in all of these memories from your friends and family...we all love and miss you tons! I still remember keg parties in the 'ol 'Bury and wish that one day we ALL can get together and enjoy a cold one once again! Thought about you alot yesterday and let everyone I came in contact with at work who spoke of the WTC and 9/11 that a great friend of mine perished in that horror. Like Shep said, maybe we could have kept in better contact with one another etc but our lives consume us all! I am now a Dr...practicing what else....Pharmacy! I told you one day I would be like my dad and here I am! Sean, may god bless you forever and may you look down on us all and just laugh at the people we are today because you had a part in molding each and everyone of us into the persons we are today! I am sure Brandon and family can now smile when they think of you because I know when I think of you I smile, laugh, and shed a tear but its a tear of great joy...great joy knowing where you are and who you are with...The Dear Lord! He brought you home and its that place we all await in time and at that time we can once again say hello and pick up where we left off a long time ago....if I remember wasnt that kegger at Mike's house by the Heritage Village? Maybe! God bless you buddy and keep smiling!!! Love ya and Miss ya TONS!!!
Jessica Schamburg
April 6, 2006
I am drawn to your memorial so often...just to take a moment to remember and feel the love that everyone has for you. You are always in our thoughts.
janne
September 25, 2005
dear sean, this year we all gathered on Block Island for the weekend. the girls and i went to the beach and sarah and i went out for dinner and spent time with summer and gerry. it was a family time and we missed you so much. i can remember you and sarah coming in from NYC, getting off the ferry still dressed in your work clothes. it was always such a rush to make the boat, or the time you had to carry molly,our lab, all the way up the ferry stairs because she froze at the first step and was holding up the line!
we still miss you everyday. peace to you sean, love, janne
Jim Goulet
September 12, 2005
Four years have gone by and the pain of your loss is still deep.
Zach wishes he could have gotten to know his cousin better.
Uncle Jim
September 11, 2005
Sean,
I still think about you every day. You will never be forgotten.
Rich
January 19, 2005
Sean was the only person I knew that was lost on 9/11 and that is something I think about a lot. It is tough to remember the happy, athletic and popular Sean and think about the horrendous way in which he was taken from us more than 3 years ago - I was lucky enough to know him in both high school and at UConn. It is hard to look at a PHS yearbook and not see his picture; it is hard to see his picture and not be reminded of that terrible day.
I, like many Pomperaug alum, share in the sense of grief and pain that came after we heard one of our own was taken. Things like this were not supposed to happen to people like Sean. It is nice to read the other entries in this guest book and get a sense that he will never be forgotten.
I cannot pretend to imagine what his family and close friends have gone through over the last three years but I hope that they are able to find peace. I'm sure Sean would have wanted it that way.
A friend.
December 24, 2004
Sean,
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday too. Always thinking of you.
janne spallone-conrad
September 14, 2004
dear Sean, i am a little late this year because i was trying to find a special light-hearted memory to share. i am remembering Christmas time 2000 when we were all sitting at dinner and the foot fell right off the dining room table! you and Gerry were scrambling to hold on to the table while the food was flying and i am thinkng,"this is my crazy life!" we were all laughing and trying to hold up the table at the same time...
we put a pile of cookbooks underneath and finished dinner and then you put on your santa hat to decorate the tree with Sarah, Summer and Gerry. we so miss your special talent to make everything right with a hearty laugh and a big grin!
missing you every day, peace,love,God Bless, janne
September 11, 2004
HI SEAN
WE MISS YOU A LOT WHEREEVER YOU ARE YOU MAY GIVE BRAN A SIGN YOU
ARE OK
YOU ARE IN OUR HEARTS AND WE LUV YOU
Amy Shepardson
September 10, 2004
Sean-Tomorrow will be 3 years, it seems impossible. I just wanted you to know, as I am sure you do, that there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you. We still all miss you, that won't change. I can think of only one positive thing that has come out of this, the most horrible day of all of our lives, and that is staying in better touch with Bran, with Bette, with close friends who need one another and I think you brought us back together again, thank you for that. I will always be here for Bran, for Kenny and for your parents, no matter what. You will always be on my mind/heart. Love you and miss you-shep xo
janne spallone-conrad
September 11, 2003
dear sean, i want to share a happy memory on this sad day. i can't believe it has been 2 years. the first time summer and i met you was when we came into the city for my birthday. sarah said she had someone special for us to meet. we were at a resturant in the village when suddenly this big man with a hugh smile filled the doorway. he carried 3 bunches of flowers. one for each of us! summer and i were beyond impressed. when the bill came my girls were a little short but with a grin you helped out. this i was to discover was a typical sean moment. always ready to help out and so very generous. i have a picture of you and sarah on that day. you in a bright flannel shirt. both of you so young and crazy in love. we will miss you always. peace and love,janne (sarah's mom)
September 11, 2003
Sean, thinking of you today...
Justin
September 9, 2003
Sean,
Two years have gone by and you are still in my thoughts daily. We all miss you very much.
Bennett Pitman
September 8, 2003
Sean,
As the two-year anniversary nears, I just wanted to check in and let you know that I still think and pray for you and your family every day. I know people have said this dozens of times, but I couldn't resist...YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
Jessica (Sonnemann) Schamburg
August 22, 2003
There is not a week that goes by that I do not think of you and your family. It is so nice to visit this site and share with others...you meant a lot to so many people.
April 15, 2003
We will never forget...
Miss you so much! Think about you everyday and night...
Ana
December 18, 2002
Happy Birthday Seany! Miss you more and more everyday.
Love Always & Forever...
Ana
Jan
November 7, 2002
Hi Sean,
You were so much in my thoughts today. Linda Keeler and I were remembering you, Brandon and Ken Jr. as kids, and all the times you made us both laugh! We talked about how you guys were the first kids to get picked up by the bus in front of your house instead of the bottom of the hill! Also some other silly things that make the memories of life so special. You are always in my thoghts.
September 12, 2002
Sean,
You were a close friend of mine only for a short period of time but I want you to know you made a big difference in the way I live my life. I have thought of you a lot this past year and to this day you are still an inspiration to me. I feel I would not be who I am today without the time we spent together. Thanks Seany.
September 11, 2002
Sean I only knew you for a short time, but you and your family, touched me, and became a very important part of my life.
There is, and will always be prayers said for you.
September 11, 2002
I've thought of Sean so much in this past year. I hadn't seen him since we graduated college but I'll always remember his smile and how he welcomed EVERYONE to the party. Sean made everyone feel like there was a place for them. He was truly a special person.
Amy Shepardson
September 11, 2002
Seany,
I miss you today, but really it's everyday that I look at your picture right next to Jason's every morning I wake up, and every night I go to sleep and think of you, miss you. There will never be a day when you are far from my heart or my mind. The biggest thing for me is the guilt of knowing I could have been in better touch, should have been in better touch, wanted to be. I guess we all got caught up in our lives. But, you and Bran and your family were people who were part of some of the most important points, memories, experiences in my life. From the time that I was 11 years old I was lucky enough to have known you, and like everyone else who has ever met you, to love you. Just know that you are missed and that your family and Sarah always have a friend in me for anything they will ever need. They are getting to be o.k., and I KNOW in my heart of hearts that you are safe, happy, and at peace, looking down on all of us, and that brings me peace.
Love and miss you forever,
Shep xo
janne spallone-conrad
September 11, 2002
dear sean, it has been a year... in many ways it seems as brief as a heartbeat and in other ways an eternity. sarah has been an inspiration to us all. her quiet courage has kept us going in the darkest of times. your love and confidence in her has been her touchstone and guide. they say that true class is grace under pressure and your parents and Brandon and ken,jr. have shown that time and again. til we meet again, our gentle giant,peace, love, janne
mark lugris
September 10, 2002
I met sean on his first day at UCONN. I was his R.A. on Litchfield 3rd. There are people in life that you respect from the start and Sean was one of them. He was an open, funny and compassionate person who treated others with consideration. Today I discovered that he was among those that lost their lives on Sept. 11 and it saddens me that such a genuinely good person has passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Tyler Christie
September 8, 2002
Almost a year has gone by now and I know everyone else misses you but i never had the chance to express how much i missed you. I still cant seem to do so without crying and its hard to say anything these days without people taking it the wrong way. I think about you always and what you mean to my sister. I try to model my young life after the way you live with such enthusiasm. And i will continue to keep the same positive outlook on life as you do. Thank you for being welcoming in New York to me and my friends. Thank you for showing me around ... I miss you
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