• The "Big Z" aka "The Schnitz" aka "Space"

    Zachary Adam Schnitzer passed away July 31, 2021, at the age of 31.

    His loved ones are carrying on his work and memory by sending goods needed by underprivileged and homeless communities on a continuous basis along with the Zach Packs to put them in to various groups and organizations in need. Our goal is to expand The Zach Pack Program where needed on a national basis.

    Zachary was an esteemed social worker in Worcester Massachusetts. He earned his MCSW at Tulane University in New Orleans and his undergraduate degree at Clark University.

“Zach was such a generous and caring soul. He was a blessing to those he served through Catholic Charities in New Orleans and a joy to all of us who worked with him. Peace to his family and friends.”

-Sharon Pierson

“Zach’s love was unconditional and contagious. Cherish your loved ones. Encourage a friend. Strive to make an impact in someone else’s life like Zach did on an hourly basis

- Will - Friend of Zachary

“On behalf of all of us at SMOC, our deepest condolences to Zach's family, friends, and loved ones. This is truly a tragic loss. Zach had only worked with us for 5 months, but made such a large impact on our organization with a strong passion for helping the poor and underserved in the Worcester community, and bringing a positive and optimistic attitude to work everyday. He was always eager to learn more and help out his staff and clients with any task, however insignificant. I am humbled and grateful for the lessons Zach taught me in the short amount of time we worked together. He will be greatly missed.”

— Julia Lane, Co-Worker

Dear Mr. Schnitzer

I offer you my condolences on the passing of your son Zach. I had the pleasure of working with Zach for three years when I was the Medical Director of Catholic Charities. In my first interview with him I recognized his sincere interest in helping others and how he saw social work was a way to do this. I decided to hire him, though he did not know, within minutes of meeting him. His enthusiasm, excitement about the work we were doing, and his energy were contagious. One could not remain a bystander when Zach was in the room.

All of Zach’s clients had multiple medical, psychiatric and social problems. They needed housing, access to clinics, and money for essentials. None of this gave Zach pause. He was energized by the challenges and met them all. He listened to his clients, and he truly cared about them. I do not think many of them had ever had this much attention or received such care. Therefore they got better.

I met Zach often when he was applying for his license for clinical social work in Louisiana. He had run into technical difficulties not his fault and was becoming frustrated with the state bureaucracy. We had some good talks. I think he came around to seeing my counsel not as a defeated acceptance but as a way to negotiate with the irrational and come out ahead. I remember the day he learned he was awarded his licenses. He was on top of the world.

We miss him. A life interrupted is painful.

- Elmore Rigamer, MD (Medical Director of Catholic Charities)

Get Involved