Obituary of Sydney "Syd" Snell

SNELL, Sydney

Sadly, on July 24, 2017 in his 97th year, our Pops gently left us, surrounded by his girls. Syd was predeceased by his wives Isobel, (1999) and Marjorie, (2010). He was a loving father of Sandra (the late Grant) Leatherdale, Patricia (Larry) Baron, Lorna (Edward) Stolarchuk, and predeceased by his son George. Stepfather to Don Fleischer, and Sandee Graham. He was a very loved grandfather to Melissa (Brook), and Dan (Karen) Baron, Vicky (Wayne) and David Leatherdale, Michael (Kirsten) and Katrine Stolarchuk. Syd also loved his great-grandchildren. Syd was a World War II Flight Officer (pilot) of the Piccadilly Princess (Lancaster) 424 Squadron, Hamilton. He served as a Captain (volunteer) for the Stoney Creek Fire Department. He retired from Reid Dominion Packaging as a Product Manager. Syd and Isobel moved to Penetanguishene in 1985. He returned to Stoney Creek in 2000 with Marjorie.  Syd was always a gentleman and made many new friends easily. A special thanks to the staff of Wentworth Lodge, and Dr. Nash. A very special thanks to Cathie Lukosius of Gold Cross, who was his dearest friend and support companion for the last few years. Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received at the Donald V. Brown Funeral Home, 36 Lake Avenue Drive, Stoney Creek, on Thursday from 6:30-8 p.m. A Celebration of Syd’s Life will take place on Friday, July 28, 2017 in the Funeral Home Chapel at 1 p.m. Interment to take place at a later date. Donations in Syd’s memory to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.donaldvbrown.ca.

A few words from John Gillespie Magee Jr. with his poem High Flight, helps us to remember Syd -

"Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue

I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace.

Where never lark, or even eagle flew —

And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

– Put out my hand, and touched the face of God."