Snyder, George Walter

Birth

George Walter Snyder was born June 21, 1924, in Westerlo to Walter Leslie Snyder and Christina Messer.

Education

He was a graduate of Greenville Central School in nearby Greene County and NYS Agricultural School (now SUNY) in Cobleskill, Schoharie Co., NY in 1943.

Military Service

Walter enlisted in the U.S. Army in March of 1943, and was assigned as a tractor driver in the C Battery of the 116th Gun Battalion, pulling a 90 mm anti-aircraft cannon. On June 6, 1944, he landed on Utah Beach during the D-Day Invasion of Europe, and with his unit fought through France, Belgium and Germany, including the infamous Battle of the Bulge. Among the citations he received are the World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the Bronze Service Arrowhead, and recognition for participation in the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns. He was honorably discharged in November of 1945. Occupation George owned and operated a small excavating business, called George W. Snyder & Son. During winter months he drove a snowplow for the town of Westerlo and worked construction jobs in New York City. In 1967, he traveled to Uruguay, South America, for three months and served as a consultant to the Agency for International Development, teaching active Uruguayans how to operate heavy equipment. Mr. Snyder eventually joined his brother, Fred, on the auto and grounds crew at Hannay Reels, where he worked for 17 years. He finished his career serving as Westerlo's highway superintendent for 10 years.

Marriage & Children

On September 17, 1950, George married Mary Elizabeth Brennan, and they had three children:

• George Snyder
• Peter Snyder
• Mary Snyder

Death

He died September 19, 2007, in Westerlo at 71 years of age. He was buried in Westerlo Rural Cemetery.

Other Media

Obituary
From The Times Union (Albany, NY)

George Walter Snyder
WESTERLO George Walter Snyder, 83 years, of Westerlo, passed away on September 19, 2007 from complications related to Alzheimer's disease. He was born on June 21, 1924 in Westerlo, the son of Walter L. and Christina (Messer) Snyder. Raised there on the family farm, he graduated from Greenville High School in 1941 and from the NYS Agricultural School (now SUNY) in Cobleskill in 1943. He played basketball at both schools. George was very proud of his service to his country during World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in March of 1943, and was assigned as a tractor driver in the C Battery of the 116th Gun Battalion, pulling a 90 mm anti-aircraft cannon. On June 6, 1944, he landed on Utah Beach during the D-Day Invasion of Europe, and with his unit fought through France, Belgium and Germany, including the infamous Battle of the Bulge. Among the citations he received are the World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the Bronze Service Arrowhead, and recognition for participation in the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns. He was honorably discharged in November of 1945. After the war, he returned to Westerlo, where he began a small excavating business, which eventually became George W. Snyder & Son. He married his beloved wife, Mary Elizabeth Brennan on September 17, 1950, and together they raised their family and operated the excavating business for many years, with George driving snowplow for the town of Westerlo and working construction in New York City during the winters. In 1967, he went to Uruguay, Sou th America for three months, where he served as a consultant to the Agency for International Development, teaching native Uruguayans how to opera the heavy equipment. George eventually joined his brother Fred on the auto and grounds crew at Hannay Reels, where he worked for 17 years. He finished his career by serving as the highway superintendent for the town of Westerlo for 10 years. In his retirement, George continued to enjoy snowmobiling, making maple syrup, operating his sawmill, and generally puttering around the farm. He also traveled extensively in the United States and Europe. He was a member of American Legion Post # 0589 of Preston Hollo w, N.Y., the Westerlo Reformed Church, the Westerlo Democratic Social Club, the Westerlo Historical Society, and was a past member of the town of Westerlo Volunteer Fire Company and the Westerlo Basic Valley Fish and Game Club and the New York State and Albany County Town Highway Superintendents Associations. George is survived by his children, George R. "Robbie" S nyder and his wife Gail, Peter Snyder, and Mary Jane S. Araldi and her husband Albert; and his grandchildren, Gregory, Sarah and Meghan Araldi, a ll of Westerlo. He is also survived by his sisters, Anna Kuhar of Rensselaerville, Catherine (Alvin) Latham of Westerlo, and his brother, Robert A. (Ruth) Snyder of Westerlo. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 52 years, Mary; his brothers John, Fred, Henry and Richard Snyder; and his sisters, Viola Hallenbeck and Mary Tompkins. Funeral service wi ll be Monday, September 24 at 11 a.m. from the Cunningham Funeral Home, 48 98 SR 81, Greenville, N.Y. Friends may call at the funeral home fr om 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, September 23. Interment will be in the Westerlo Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association, Northeastern New York Chapter, 85 Watervliet Ave., Albany, NY 12206 or Town of Westerlo Library, P.O. Box 148, Westerlo, NY 12193. ________________________________________ From The Altamont Enterprise (Altamont, NY)

WESTERLO - George Walter Snyder, a World War II veteran died on Sept. 19, 2007 from Alzheimer's disease complications. He was 83. "He was the kind of person who would help you if you had any trouble, no matter what it was," said his brother, Westerlo Councilman Robert Snyder. Born on June 23, 1924 in Westerlo, George Snyder was the son of Walt er L. and Christina Snyder (née Messer). He was raised on his family's fa rm in Westerlo. He graduated from Greenville High School in 1941, and in 1 943 from the New York State Agricultural School in Cobleskill, now pa rt of the state university system. He played basketball at both schools. Mr. Snyder was very proud of serving his country during World War II, sa id his family in a tribute. He enlisted in the United States Army in March, 1943, and was assigned as a tractor driver in the C Battery of the 116th Gun Battalion, pulling a 90 millimeter anti-aircraft cannon. On June 6, 1944, he landed on Utah Beach during the D-Day Invasion of Europe. He fought with his unit through France, Belgium, and Germany, including the infamous Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Snyder received the World War II Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Meda l, and the Bronze Service Arrowhead. He was recognized for his participation in the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe campaigns. He was honorably discharged in November, 1945. "He didn't say too much," said Robert Snyder, who only recalled his brother's telling of the week before landing in Normandy. There was a bad storm and, while waiting to land, many of the crew got sick, said Robert Snyder. His brother made two or three trips to Belgium, to where he landed in Normandy and where his gun was mounted, he said. After the war, Mr. Snyder returned to Westerlo, and started a small excavating business, which became George W. Snyder & Son. He married his beloved wife, Mary Elizabeth Brennan, on Sept. 17, 1950. The couple raised its family and operated the excavating business for many years. In the winters, Mr. Snyder drove a snowplow for the town of Westerlo and worked construction jobs in New York City. In 1967, he traveled to Uruguay, South America, for three months and served as a consultant to the Agency for International Development, teaching active Uruguayans how to operate heavy equipment. Mr. Snyder eventually joined his brother, Fred, on the auto and grounds crew at Hannay Reels, where he worked for 17 years. He finished his career serving as Westerlo's highway superintendent for 10 years. In his retirement, Mr. Snyder continued to enjoy snowmobiling, making maple syrup, operating his sawmill - which was like a hobby - and generally puttering around the farm, said his family. He also traveled extensively in the United States and Europe. Mr. Snyder was active in his hometown community. He was a member of the American Legion Post #0589 of Preston Hollow, the Westerlo Reformed Church, and the Westerlo Democratic Social Club. He was also a past member of the Town of Westerlo Volunteer Fire Company and the Westerlo Basic Valley Fish and Game Club. Mr. Snyder is survived by his children, George R. "Robbie" Snyder, and h is wife, Gail; Peter Snyder; and Mary Jane S. Araldi, and her husband, Albert. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Gregory, Sarah, and Meghan Araldi, all of Westerlo; his sisters, Anna Kuhar of Rensselaerville; and Catherine Latham, and her husband, Alvin, of Westerlo; and his brother, Robert A. Snyder, and his wife, Ruth, of Westerlo. His wife of 52 years, Mary Elizabeth, died before him as did his brother s, John, Fred, Henry, and Richard Snyder; and his sisters, Viola Hallenbeck and Mary Tompkins. A funeral service was held Monday. Arrangements were by the Cunningham Funeral Home in Greenville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Northeastern New York Chapter, 85 Watervliet Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12206; the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, 120 Wall Street, 19th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10005; or the Freehold Christian Congregational Churc h, Post Office Box 131, Freehold, N.Y.- Tyler Schuling Altamont Enterprise.

Sources

---