Charles C. Snyder "Carl"
October 12, 1931 - May 9, 2023
Carl was born in his family's home in Painesville, OH on Oct. 12, 1931 where he lived with his parents, Charles F. and Edith (Lohr). The family also included older brother and sister, Thomas, and Garland Malqueeny), and younger sister, Betty (Franko). Carl's three siblings preceded him in death. Carl was always described as a gentle, caring child. People who knew him also described him as a hard-working boy who was always willing to lend a hand with any job. Carl went to work at the Diamond Shamrock in Fairport before graduating from high school and attended Harvey High School daily while working 2nd shift at the Diamond until he graduated. Following graduation, Carl entered the army and served in Korea where he was wounded in battle and awarded a Purple Heart. Upon discharge, he returned to his job at the Diamond and he and his parents bought a small farm in Leroy where they lived and raised much of their food for a number of years.
In March 1960, he met his future wife, Joyce Bonawitz, at Manner's Restaurant in Painesville. He and his friends asked to be taken for a ride in her newly purchased convertible. As he exited the car at the end of the ride, he leaned in the window and said, "I'm going to marry you someday". Joyce laughing replied, "Don't hold your breath. You'll turn mighty blue". Carl was persistent though, and they were married 15 months. later on June 17, 1961. They had two children, son, Jeffrey Carlson, and daughter, Kimberly Susan (Johnson). The family lived in Mentor for 14 years before moving to Concord in 1975. Carl continued to work at the Diamond until the Fairport plant was closed. At that time, he started and successfully operated a painting business until he retired in 2001. Carl loved nature, both plants and animals. He was also devoted to his 2 grandchildren, Macully Kyler and Lauren McKinzie Snyder. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge of nature with them and he and his wife spent many hours with them working in the yard and walking the beach or through the Metro Parks where he identified all the flora and fauna in the area around them. He also loved to spend time in the yard where he enjoyed just sitting watching the changing of the seasons. He particularly enjoyed watching the arrival and departure of the various migrating bird species each year. His wife teased him about being on a first name basis with all the hummingbirds, doves, cardinals, and other birds in the neighborhood. Over the years, they hand raised and successfully released many wild birds and animals found in their yard or the woods around their home. Carl also dearly loved his sheltie, Usher, who was his constant companion and spent many hours laying beside his human dad during his final illness. Carl died in the arms of his wife on May 9th at their Concord home. That is where he wanted to be and each time he was hospitalized, he fought to get well enough to go home.
The family is grateful to the nurses and aides provided by Elara Hospice in assisting them in making his wish possible. They did everything they could to support Joyce in caring for Carl without being intrusive. Both Carl and Joyce were deeply appreciative of their efforts to ease their pain, physical and emotional, throughout their final days and nights together. The family would also like to thank the EMTs at the Concord Fire Department for their rapid and expert help when Carl would fall or have difficulty breathing. They went above and beyond the call of duty in the assistance they provided our family. Thanks also to the friends, relatives, and neighbors who were very supportive and helpful during Carl’s lengthy illness, especially our daughter, Kim, who was there at a moments notice to provide support and love during a time filled with unbelievable emotional and physical pain.
A memorial service is scheduled for 1:30 on June 17, at Mentor United Methodist Church in Mentor, Ohio. That would have been Joyce and Carl's 62nd wedding anniversary. True Love Stories Never End.