Gerard Thomas Snyder

LUDLOW - Gerard Thomas Snyder was a man of many talents, and many names. Call him what you like - Jerry, The Grand Dude, Pope Gerard, the man with the high hair or simply, Mr. Snyder, he died peacefully at home after a duel with pulmonary fibrosis. It took three long years, but the illness won, as it always does, but he never surrendered his priceless sense of humor, or his congenial personality. Gerard was a man with manners until the end. He was 70 years young.

Prior to becoming Pope Gerard of the Church of DNA, which he ordained himself, he was born April 17, 1946, to Katherine and Ralph Snyder, both predeceased, in Pittsburgh, PA. He grew up with his older brother, Ralph Snyder, also predeceased, and his sister, Myra Snyder, who survives him with her spouse, Irene Agnos. Gerard attended North Catholic High School and graduated from the College of Steubenville in 1968. He later earned a master's from Stony Brook University.

The son of a plumber with no particular affinity for the art (he probably broke more toilets than he fixed), and no stomach for war, he moved to New York after college to teach elementary and middle school students English. Mr. Snyder shared with them his passion for words and language and books. He was popular among his students for he didn't believe in homework or care much for grades. He also despised profanity. If ever compelled to swear, he did it in Italian, because the man had class.

While in college, he met Carolyn Spalholz. They married and had a daughter, Jennifer Snyder, whom he loved. It was the '70s, they were young and suffice to say, it did not end well. But she never gave up the Snyder name, bearing it until she passed in 2006.

While teaching, he met Virginia Steuer, a bombshell whose intelligence captured his heart and thus began a partnership for the ages - she was the off-key Simon to his baritone Garfunkel, the Ginger to his Fred, the Sybil to his Basil, the Diane to his Woody, the Gin to his Jer. The two married Oct. 2, 1982. After years of weekend skip trips to Okemo, the couple embarked on a new adventure and moved to Ludlow, VT, in 1984. First, they managed Brookhaven Condominiums and then, they opened the GinGer Place B&B, Strictly Rentals and The Brick House restaurant. They were partners through the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful. His wife survives him.

Jerry and Virginia had two children, Emily and Mitchell Snyder. He often said his three children were his greatest achievement. The truth is, they were lucky to have him as a father. Later in life, he became a foster parent to Kendrick Rouleau and William Adams. He had two sons-in-law, Michael Michalke and William Scharfman, and two grandsons, Finn and Holden, by his daughter Emily, all of whom he loved dearly.

The Pope loved to ski until he took up snowboarding at age 50 and never looked back. He loved to dance and sing and happily embraced every opportunity to get on stage and perform. He loved to play tennis, to read and to cook, and to fill his dinner table with his friends. He was terrible at directions - once he wound up in Rhode Island instead of Vermont. Jerry had panache, styling shirts from the upscale Mr. G's discount boutique. He donned his first pair of blue jeans in 1997 - it was a memorable day.

In his humor, he never made fun of the person, he'd make fun of the situation, with his many Jerryisms. He kept his wife laughing for the 40 years they were together.

Jerry's ability to open his home to all who crossed the threshold was unparalleled. He'd feed you, ply you with spirits, make you laugh until you cried, serenade you with a song and then give you a bed to rest your head. That was Jerry - a consummate entertainer, gracious and kind.

The line of people waiting to get in the door and visit with the Pope never thinned, even as he got sicker and sicker. Day after day, week after week, year after year, his friends would visit. Not one for small talk or idle chitchat, Jerry elevated everyone around him to be smarter and more thoughtful about the lives they choose to lead. To know Jerry was to love him. He will be sorely missed.

The Pope didn't care much for organized religion, but he believed his soul would continue to live on, no longer shackled by the body that betrayed him. He joins his grandson, Finneaus Egan, the true apple of his eye. Few relationships are so magical as the one between Grand Dude and his Finn.

In lieu of flowers, the Grand Dude asked that should you feel compelled to do something, then make a donation in his memory to Finn's playground. You can mail a check to CMEF – (noting Finn's playground on the check) - at Corps Member Education Foundation, 1841 Winding Hollow Lane, Mequon, WI 53092 or go online and donate here: www.cmef.org/program/the-finneaus-egan-me/

A wake will be held Monday evening, Jan. 16, at the Church of the Annunciation's community center at 7 North Depot St. Ludlow, VT, and a service Tuesday, Jan 17, in the morning. For details, call (802) 228-3451 A proper celebration of Gerard Snyder's life will follow at the Pot Belly Pub.

He always said his epitaph should read, "He could lift stuff." And so let it be said, "He could lift stuff."

Arrangements under the direction of Adams Funeral Homes, Ludlow, Vermont.