Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan announced Friday that former City Council member Matt Schellenberg has died at the age of 73. Deegan praised Schellenberg as a “devoted public servant” who loved the city and served the families of Mandarin and the Southside with energy and conviction over two terms on Council.

Early life and education

Schellenberg was born on Dec. 2, 1952, in Washington, D.C., the second of 11 children of former council member Bob Schellenberg and his wife Kate. The family moved to Jacksonville in 1962. He attended San Jose Catholic School and Bishop Kenny High School, earned a golf scholarship to St. Johns River Community College, and graduated from the University of Florida in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Career and public service

After college, Schellenberg worked as an investment advisor before joining Movers Claims Services. He married Ceil Pillsbury in 2018. His father, Bob, had been general manager at WJXT before being elected to the Jacksonville City Council in 1983.

Running as a Republican, Schellenberg won the Mandarin District 6 seat in 2011, defeating incumbent City Council President Jack Webb. He was re‑elected and served until 2019, representing the Mandarin and Southside neighborhoods. During his tenure he was known for advocating fiscal responsibility and exploring options to improve municipal services, including a 2018 interview on WJCT’s First Coast Connect where he discussed the possibility of privatizing JEA.

In 2021 Schellenberg filed to run for the at‑large council seat once held by the late Tommy Hazouri, but later withdrew his candidacy, as reported by Florida Politics.

Community involvement

Beyond elected office, Schellenberg was active in a range of charitable and civic organizations. He held leadership roles with the Florida Association of Counties, the Florida League of Cities, and local environmental groups Keep Jacksonville Beautiful and Greenscape. He also served on the Bishop Kenny High School Advisory Board, reflecting his long‑standing commitment to education and community stewardship.

Personal health and family

Schellenberg received a liver transplant in early 2000, according to The Florida Times‑Union. He is survived by his wife, Ceil, and two grown children. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Legacy

Mayor Deegan’s statement highlighted Schellenberg’s dedication to public service and his deep ties to the neighborhoods he represented. His career spanned business, politics, and volunteerism, leaving a lasting imprint on Jacksonville’s civic landscape.

Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.