FULTONVILLE – Mr. George Pierson Snyder Sr., 92, of Union St., Fultonville, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010 at St. Mary’s Hospital with his loving family at his side.
Born in Fultonville on June 8, 1918, he was the son of the late Clarence R. and Margaret (Pierson) Snyder. He moved from Fultonville to Johnstown in the early years with his family and was educated at St. Patrick’s School and Johnstown High School. He received his Honorary High School diploma in June 1990 from Fonda-Fultonville Central School where he delivered the keynote speech leaving each one with his motto of life, “A smile will take you much further in life than a frown.”
He joined D.H. & P. machine shop in Johnstown as a young man learning the trade as machinist, which he continued his entire life . George served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He had his Pilot’s license, owned his own plane and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. Upon his discharge he moved back to Fultonville and started Fultonville Machine & Tool on Broad St. In 1951, he moved the machine shop to its present location on Union St. as the NYS Thruway made its way through the village. During his tenure as Mayor of Fultonville from 1952 to 1957, he was instrumental in securing Exit 28 off the NYS Thruway and in the consolidation of the Fonda and Fultonville schools into one district. During this process he provided school rooms for the children at the Fultonville Truck Center which he opened in 1954 later becoming Truckstops of America.
George was a longtime regional community supporter having served on many committees and organizations including the FF Lions Club, Johnstown Hospital Board and Board of Directors of The Johnstown Bank. His love of traveling in his motorhomes over the last 45 years lead to him serving as a national director of Family Motor Coach Association area chapter, Area Vice President and then as National Vice President and Founder of the Life Membership Club. His travels took he and his family to all 48 continental states, Canada and Mexico. Mr. Snyder was a local sports supporter and was considered one of the Fonda-Fultonville Braves biggest fans.
He is predeceased by his parents, two brothers John and Melvin D. Snyder; three sisters, Kathryn and Marion Snyder and Cecilia Hall.
George is survived by his wife Patricia (Stevens) Snyder of Fultonville, four sons, George Snyder Jr. and Richard Snyder of Norwich, Randolph of Fultonville and Ryan George Snyder of Rotterdam; two daughters, Lori Snyder of Fultonville and Mary Jo Nethaway of Fonda. His family also includes 13 grandchildren; Andrea Ellis, Marcy Cent, Bryan Snyder, Stephen Snyder, Karen Snyder, Joshua, Lukas and Miranda Jo Nethaway, Brianna and Carrie Shevlin, James Snyder, Noa Snyder, Matthew Miranda; four great-grandchildren, Zachary and Meaghan Snyder, Sydney and Sawyer Cent. He is also survived by several nieces and cousins.
Family and friends may call at the Jackson & Betz Funeral Home, 15 Main St., Fultonville, on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Nancy Pullen presiding. Interment will follow with full military honors at the Maple Ave Cemetery, Fultonville.
Donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Assocication NENY, 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany, NY 12205 or in care of the funeral home office.