Obituary of Richard Wayne Snyder

Richard Wayne Snyder passed away at the Radiant Care Tabor Manor in St Catharines, Ontario, on October 16, 2023, at eighty-four. Richard is survived by his second wife, Elvira, sister Miriam, children, Jeff, Greg, Kevin, Terri and their families, and nephew, Benjamin Carson. 

Richard was born April 16, 1939, in Jordan Station, Ontario. He attended Jordan Station Public School and then went to Prairie High School in Three Hills, Alberta, for grades 9-11. He returned to finish high school at Beamsville Secondary. Following Highschool Richard attended Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, Alberta, where he received a diploma in Biblical Studies after four years. 

While at Prairie, he met Mary Ann Buyter. They kindled a relationship during Richard's first year at school and married on May 5, 1962, after graduation. It is noteworthy that Elvira Gailitis was a bridesmaid for Mary Ann. 

Richard was a very hard worker and took pride in being a top-notch employee even in his early years, whether on the family farm plowing with a horse and later a tractor or working for the Jordan Fruit Storage and Supply across from the family home on Prince William Street, he put everything he had into his work.

In 1966, Richard and Mary Ann welcomed their firstborn Son, Richard Jeffrey and loved being parents so much they welcomed Gregory John in 1968, followed by Kevin Wayne in 71 and Terri Ann in 1974. Richard loved his family and community and was always keen to help wherever needed. 

Being a truck driver, Richard worked long hours during the week, and his weekends were devoted to his kids and later grandkids. He enjoyed coaching baseball in the summers and nearly always sponsored his kids’ baseball and hockey teams. You could often find him at the baseball diamond or the arena, watching his boys play weekend sports. He always encouraged his kids to play fair and to do the best to their abilities. His children could always count on his presence at their games. Later, when he became a proud grandpa, you could still find him at the arena, watching his grandkids play. This was one of Richard’s great joys in life. 

Richard was an avid lover of cars. He collected both full-size cars as well as diecast cars. He often told his kids that this car collection would be his retirement or their inheritance. When he had time, he could sit and tinker with his car collection for hours.

Attending and serving in the church was a large part of Richard’s life. In his early years, his family attended the 1st Mennonite church in Vineland, Ontario. Later, Richard would become a youth leader at the Calvary Church in Beamsville, Ontario. Soon after, he would take a lay position at Bethel Community Church in Wellandport, Ontario. Richard enjoyed studying the Bible, and this lay position helped him continue to study as he prepared weekly sermons and officiated weddings and funerals. Richard and Mary Ann cared for this community for a couple of decades. Even in Richard's later years, he continued to serve this community. This consistent bible study served him well in how he lived with love, kindness, generosity, and faithfulness in the living God.

Richard began driving a truck for Sterling Paint Company (now known as Sico Paint) in the 80s. He remained there until he started working for Roseman Transport Truck Company, where he found work and an extended family. After the passing of his first wife, Mary Ann, in 2003, he began to think about what was next in his life.

Shortly after Mary Ann’s passing in 2003, Elvira Gailitis contacted him, and they rekindled a friendship that blossomed into a new relationship. They were married on November 27, 2004. Richard then picked up his life and moved to Woodbridge to join Elvira. He took on a new job with Proctor Cartage, closer to his new home. Elvira and Richard lived together in Woodbridge until Richard had an unfortunate fall while on the job, leaving him with a Brain Injury and in a wheelchair. In 2013, Richard moved back to St. Catharines and into the Radiant Care Tabor Manor, where he could get the extra care he now required. Elviria moved to a home in St. Catharines where she could visit Richard Daily during his time at Tabor.

Richard lived his life in devotion to God, his family and friends. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Memorial Service will be held at the Vineland Chapel of Tallman Funeral Homes, 3277 King St. Vineland, on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 11:30am with reception to follow in the Fireside Room. 

To view the Live Stream Funeral Service - Click Here

Donations can be in memory of Richard to  Wycliffe Bible Translators or Radiant Care Tabor Manor