Obituary of Peter Etril Snyder

Peter Etril Snyder, 73, died on Monday August 28, 2017 at Grand River Health Centre, King St W, Kitchener where he was born January 28, 1944.

He is survived by Marilyn (nee Snyder), his wife for 50 years, and by his brothers, twins, Donald A (Katherine) and their daughter Cynthia (Kent Weber) and their son, Spencer; Douglas Noah (Dorene) and his daughters Julie (Russel Snyder-Penner) and their daughters Vanessa and Saskia; Jane (Karl Kessler) and their sons John and Thomas. Also survived by brother-in-law Donald Wayne Snyder and his fiancé Doreen Shantz and his son Jeff (Kelli Callaghan) and their sons Aidan and Darcy, and his daughter-in-law Lee Randall (Etienne Paquin) and her daughter Kate; brother-in-law Richard Snyder (Cathy) and sister-in-law June White (Michael) and her daughters Laura Johnson (Colin) and their son Joe; and Lindsay Taberner (Dave) and their sons Ben, and twins Noah and Brady.

Predeceased by his parents, Etril and Alice Snyder, his mother and father-in-law Wayne and Lovina Snyder and sisters-in-law Doreen Snyder, Nancy Martin and Marilyn Snyder and son, our beloved nephew, Scott Snyder.

At Pete’s request, there will be no service. Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St S, Waterloo, on Friday, September 1st from 2-5 pm and 7-9 pm. 

We both loved flowers, so send away if that is your wish. Charities Pete supported whole-heartedly include KidsAbility and Mennonite Central Committee. Contributions may be made at the funeral home www.erbgood.com or by calling 519-745-8445.

After study at Ontario College of Art, Toronto, Pete painted Waterloo County images for more than fifty years.  He enjoyed his time at the easel and talking to his Old Order Mennonite friends and acquaintances, and was pleased to meet those who came to view his work and, especially, those who chose to hang it in their homes and businesses.  Pete got especially energized while discussing commission paintings with the ordering executives. Some of those relationships went beyond strict business.  He was overwhelmed by the community support he received and humbled by the community awards generously bestowed.

It was a charmed life, exactly suited to this gregarious man, highlighted by his sense of humour and interest in this world of ours.  Travel expanded his horizons and sometimes destinations appeared in his paintings.

I feel fortunate to have been his partner in inventing a way of life.  I will always miss his optimistic outlook which I have admired since I first laid eyes on him when I was thirteen.  He will always be in my mind and heart.

Grateful thanks to Dr. Janet MacEachern and the Grand River Cancer Centre.  All whom Pete met there interested him and made him many new friends – Susan, Dorothy, Julie and Corinna especially, and many others.  I expect you know who you are.  You did your best to conquer his leukemia but a cure is still pending.