BRINY BREEZES —Russell John Snyder Sr. died March 11 at Helene Fuld Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey. He was 93.
Mr. Snyder was born in Bristol, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 27, 1927, the son of Harriet and Oscar Snyder. He graduated from Trenton Central High School in 1945 and was a member of the Thunder football team and the Thespian Club. Unable to serve in the military due to a football injury, he worked at Acme Rubber and with Ernie Kovacs at the WTTM radio station.
After falling in love with and marrying Julia Okum, Mr. Snyder formed a partnership and purchased Valentine’s Inc., an office machine and furniture company that became a franchisee for Steelcase Inc. For over three decades the couple worked side by side to make the business grow and became the sole owners. In 1974, Mr. Snyder was instrumental in establishing Capitol State Bank in Trenton.
Upon retirement, Mr. Snyder pursued his passion for golf and harness horse racing. He and Julia summered in Ocean Pines, Maryland, and became residents of Deerfield Beach. Eventually, they moved to Briny Breezes and spent many happy years in the place they called paradise.
Russell was predeceased by Julia on Feb. 4, 2020.
He is survived by his five children, Julia (Robert) Kohut, Berlin, Maryland; Suzanne (Joseph T.) Snyder-Carroll, Briny Breezes; Cathy Worek, Fallsington, Pennsylvania; Russell (Stacy) Snyder Jr., Feasterville, Pennsylvania; Mark (Barbara Bradway) Snyder, Washington’s Crossing, Pennsylvania; sister Rita O’Brien, San Antonio; seven grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and his dear friends, Alma Papa and Sharon Smith.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated in New Jersey and a celebration of life gathering will be held in Briny Breezes at the convenience of the family. Donations may be made to Catholic Charities and Briny Breezes Charities.
— Obituary submitted by the family
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