David Lee Snyder

David Lee Snyder, 83, beloved husband of Lucy Berry Snyder, died on March 6th 2026 after suffering from cancer due to toxic chemical exposure while serving in the Vietnam war. David was born in Meadville, PA, attended Marquette University where he received a commission in the US Army upon graduation. Dave traveled worldwide with the Army and after 24 years retired at MacDill AFB in 1988. He spent another 22 years as a Contracts Manager for Hillsborough County and retired to Valrico, FL where he and his family have been living ever since. In addition to his military and financial careers, Dave received his MBA from the University of South Florida in 1973 and taught as Adjunct Professor of Economics at Tampa College, Florida Institute of Technology and St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.

While Dave was a kind, patient and gentle man, he was tenacious about his three priorities in life, his family, his faith and his sports. Dave married Lucy in 1967, welcomed daughters Christine, Laura and son Andrew by 1970. Since then, his family expanded with the additions of Christine's husband Ken, Laura's husband Todd as well as grandchildren Jonathan, Paige, Nicole, Joshua, Ben, Emily, Isabel, David, Zack and Heather as well as Jon’s wife Lisa and Zack’s wife Caitlyn. Dave was also devoted to his four great-grandchildren, Sebastian, Emerson, Merritt and Clayton. The devotion was mutual as Pop-pop and Mimi loved spending “special time” with each family member. One of Dave’s favorite sayings was that FAMILY IS EVERYTHING!

A lifelong Catholic, Dave loved his God and Church. He believed in rituals, the Eucharist and had a deep trust and hope in the Lord. In 1977 Dave and Lucy attended a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend which was the beginning of their 49 year ministry to married couples. They presented WWME experiences to couples throughout the United States, as well as to couples serving in the military overseas. They also served in national leadership roles with WWME and authored a marriage enrichment program for WWME, “Married And In Love…Most of the Time!"

Last but not least, was Dave’s love of sports, both playing and being a fan. He could often be found in his office watching his Marquette basketball game, and he enjoyed any Tampa team, whether it was the Bucs, the Rays or the Lightning. He was an avid golfer and even taught Lucy to play back in their early married days so they could do something fun without the babies. His favorite channel during these last years was the Golf channel and he used to say that it was better than sliced bread!

The memory of Dave’s quiet strength and integrity and his gentle and accepting friendship will remain in our hearts forever.

A Wake Service will be held at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, 2323 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, Florida 33511, on March 20, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Visitation will take place at Nativity Catholic Church, 705 East Brandon Blvd., Brandon, Florida 33511, on March 21, 2026, from 9:30 am to 10:00 am, followed by the Funeral Mass at the same location from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

A Burial Service will be held at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens, 2323 West Brandon Blvd., Brandon, Florida 33511, with a reception to follow at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home.

Donations may be made to the Dave and Lucy Snyder Memorial Fund for marriage enrichment at the Franciscan Center, Tampa.

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