Allan Joseph Snyder

Born May 7th,1925. The eighth living child of Albert Federick and Mary Catherine(McPhaul) Schneider, on the farm 15 miles South West of Battleford, Sask. He passed away March 6th 2010 in North Battleford, Sask.

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Alanna(Darrell)Oborowsky, their children, Devan(Allison Tarasoff)Oborowsky and Daylan(Ryan)Sabin; Joseph Snyder and his children, Breanna, Jess and McKayla; Leona(Doug)Borschneck, their children and grandaughter Aaron(Courtney)and Reese Borschneck and Jeremy Borschneck; Robert Snyder and his son Darreck; Yvonne(Jeff)Bevan; His sister Madeline O’Donnell; Brother-In-Law, August Lafleur; Brother’s and Sister’s-In-Law, Paul and Olive Garand; Pat and Frances Lutz; Sister-In-Law, Maureen Garand; Numerous nieces,nephews,cousins and family friends.

Predeceased by: His loving wife, Lorette(Garand)Snyder; His parents, Albert and Mary Schneider; Father-In-Law and Mother-In-Law, Pierre Etienne and Margurite(Abgrall)Garand; His brothers and their wives, James and Simone Snyder; John and Ivy Snyder; Bill and May Snyder; His sisters and their husbands, Isabelle and Pete Martel; Pauline McKinnon; Theresia and Cecil Dawe; Harriette Snyder; Brother’s-In-Law, Patrick O’Donnell; Peter,John and Joseph Garand; Brother’s and Sister’s-In –Law, Albert and Theresa Garand; Emile and Lorenza Garand; Melvina and Don Nelson; Sister-In-Law, Emily Lafleur.

Vigil of prayers was held March 9th , 2010. With Rita Kedl presider, Doreen Gillies, organist. Mass of Christian Burial was held March 10th , 2010. At 10:30a.m.at St. Vital Church in Battleford, Sask. Father Greg Elder and Father Leo Mann Celebrants. Music by St. Vital Choir. An Honorguard was formed by the Knights of Columbus. Interment followed at Battleford’s Cemetery, Battleford. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Sallows and McDonald’s Funeral Home. If family and friends so desire, donations in memory of Allan Snyder may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, or Palliative Care at the Battleford Union Hospital C/O Scott Parker.

CARD OF THANKS

The family of Allan Snyder would like to offer thanks to:

~ All of the doctors and nurses both in Saskatoon and North Battleford for the care provided.

~ Scott Parker-Palliative Care Coordinator, the 2nd and 3rd floor BUH nursing staff for the caring compassion and support received. It was much appreciated.

~ Homecare for all the visits dad received. Excellent care, excellent staff. Dad looked forward to your visits.

~ Pharmasave in Battleford, who went above and beyond to accommodate dad’s needs. You are truly special people.

~ All family and friends who expressed sympathy, masses, sent cards, food, flowers,visits, support, and phone calls. Your kindness will always be remembered and we can not thank you enough.

~ Sallows and McDonald’s Funeral Home for their professional and compassionate care in handling the funeral arrangements.

~ Rita Kedl and Doreen Gillies for being available to us for the prayers at the funeral home.

~ Father Greg Elder for visiting with dad and putting him at ease and helping him to find peace.

~ Father Greg Elder and Father Leo Mann who helped to make dad’s funeral service such a fitting farewell.

~ The St. Vital Choir for their music ministry for dad’s special day.

~ The Knights of Columbus for the honorguard.

~ Our little sister Yvonne, we were honored to have you read our eulogy of dad.

~ St. Vital’s C.W.L. ladies for the lovely luncheon you provided.

EULOGY

Although this a very sad time for us, it is a blessing that there is no more pain and suffering. Dad carried his “cross” for just over four years. We watched as his burden became increasingly heavy. He did not complain. He went on the best he could. “You just have to make the best of things”. His faith in God and family carried him on, until he could no longer do it anymore.

We are gathered here to celebrate this man’s life. As we celebrate who he was and what he was all about, let us be reminded of some of the important things we do in a lifetime. We are born and struggle to grow. We search for “meaning” of life and a “purpose”that fulfills us. We save all of our memories and record them in ways that others will remember us. Dad shared many memories with us, we have prepared a small account of his memories in a booklet at the back of the church, some of you may have it already.

Dad found meaning in his faith,family and work. Dad’s faith was important to him as he shared that with us, leading us in saying the rosary every night during lent and taking us to church each Sunday, making sure we lived by that “golden”rule – “Do unto others...” As his illness progressed and he could not go to mass anymore, he would be happy to listen to the radio or watch Mass for the Shut-Ins on t.v, it seemed to give him a sense of peace. Dad tried to teach us the morals, values and the family ways of his youth. The way we live our lives, the values that we have passed on to our own children is a testimony to him. Dad went along in life pretty much the same way he did his work on the farm, with a steady,unhurried focus and a calm determination. Dad was a cowboy, he loved working with horses. He found his “purpose” in farming. Money was often scarce and he used his insight, ingenuity and his brain to improvise and make do. He was a “McGyver” on the farm. Dad was proud of his family, he loved teaching us to play cards, showing us how strong he was and he liked having company and visiting, even though he didn’t talk much, he liked to listen. He used to say jokingly to us, “Company at seeding time or harvest is like having a bad break-down”. Spoken like a true farmer.

Everyone who knew dad liked him. He spoke less and said more. Content to sit back and watch the “goings-on” around him always giving quiet encouragement and unconditional love. All of you have been touched by dad’s life in some way. It is your memories that will keep him among us. Think of him kindly and think of him often as you go about your days and may God and dad’s gentle spirit be in your heart.

We love you dad and we will miss you.

Arrangements under the direction of Sallows and McDonald Funeral Home, North Battleford, SK.