Obituary of Layton Snyder

SNYDER, WILBUR “LAYTON” It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Layton Snyder of Riverton, N.S. Born in Sunny Brae on November 25, 1928, he was the eldest son of Abner Lonas Snyder and Violet Margaret (Chisholm) Snyder. Layton spent his early years in Sunny Brae and Drum Head after which he lived in New Glasgow for 25 years and then moved to Riverton where he lived for almost 50 years. He is survived by wife Helen (Crossan), children Kathryn, Jeanie, Dougie and Jamie; seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren, brother Floyd, sisters Sharon Denty and Mona Hatch, brothers in-law Maurice Hatch and Karl Facey, sisters in law Diane and Winnie, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He attended school in Sunny Brae and Drum Head. When just a boy hard work became a part of his life; one of his first jobs involved travelling by lobster boat to Country Island Lighthouse where he stayed intermittently in order to carry the kerosene for the lamp upstairs, split and carry wood and do other chores for the household while the men were away lobster fishing. He, along with a big gray horse, snigged logs in and around Sunny Brae for the Masons of Country Harbour and was nicknamed “snigger.” He drove a logging truck from Trafalgar and Calendonia to haul lumber to the Sunny Brae rail siding, logs to Porters and pit wood to the Allen Shaft in Stellarton. He worked for a number of years at Eastern Woodworkers in Parkdale where he was know as “Popeye” He constructed buildings, did roofing and siding and even put on and took off storm windows (in the day!) all over Pictou County either with his partner Hughie Cruickshanks or on his own. He travelled to DMV in Halifax in the spring to pick up licenses for residents of Pictou County, for a small fee of course. He was employed by Hawker Siddley for almost 40 years until an accident in which he lost the thumb on his prominent hand forced him to retire. Although retired and permanently disabled he learned to adapt and continued to swing the hammer and use the saw for many projects. He was a volunteer fireman for the New Glasgow Fire Department for 17 years, a very difficult job at times that left a lasting impact on him. He was a member of the United States Trotting Association (USTA) for many years and a lifetime member of Standardbred Canada. He trained and raced Standardbreds, jogging them in Parkdale and swimming them in the ocean off Caribou from a row boat with his friend Brad Smith to get them ready for the track. After his work accident he bred mares and raised foals, often under the watchful eye of his brother Don. His horses, young and old raced at Sackville Downs, Halifax Commons, Truro Raceway, Inverness Raceway, Northside Downs (North Sydney), Summerside and Charlottetown (PEI) and Dover Downs, Delaware (USA). Always interested in hockey he was a long time fan of the Montreal Canadians. Baseball was a part of his life since he was a boy in Sunny Brae playing against local teams. Once TV became available the Toronto Blue Jays was the team to watch. He liked his cars, they were never new but always commodious. His first car was a 1941 Ford. He was always ready for a good card game (auction 45) and enjoyed country music from two Hanks and a Kitty to Charlie Pride. He made many friends along the way who shared his varied interests and perhaps appreciated his unique sense of humor. He will be sadly missed by all who loved him. Layton was predecessed by his parents Abner and Violet, brothers Cyril, Brent, Donald and Merrill (Tony), sisters Vera Chaisson, Carolyn Langille and Geraldine Facey, brothers in law Donald Langille and Jack Denty, sister in law Phyllis Snyder, nephews Cyril and Merrill Snyder. Sincere thanks to Dr. Gregor MacLean, Dr. Robert Read and his special attendee Collie (when Layton had appointments), Dr. John Hamilton and staff Kathy and Vonda, 4th floor nursing staff and occupational health staff at the Aberdeen Hospital, VON and EMT staff, nurses Lauralee and Lori. A special thank you to Alan Murray and Tom Lann for their help and companionship and a special thank you to Robert Lees for being a devoted friend and for always being there. A timeless thank you to his doting personal care workers, Joanie, Dolly, Rosalie, Judy, Dawn, Linda and Amber; also Cheryl, Helen and Marion for their help when needed and especially Mary Jane MacKenzie who we will forever be indebted for providing excellent personal care, support, companionship and love over the years. All of these people kept Layton laughing and always made him feel special. Burial will take place at the Sunny Brae Cemetery on June 3, 2023 at 1:30 PM and a Celebration of Life will follow at the MacDonald Rebekah Lodge in Sunny Brae at 2:00 PM for family and friends.