In Loving Memory of
LOU SNYDER
Nov. 12, 1932 -
July 14, 2006
Lou was born on November 12, 1932 in Craig Mont, Idaho. The youngest son of Clarence and Wilma Snyder. Lou attended school in Craig Mont until 1947 when his parents moved to Canada. They brought Lou and his older brother Bruce. After 11 trips hauling household goods, machinery and horses they settled at Tchesinkut Lake, and also purchased property on Brown Road to farm. They still had the farm in Idaho as well. In 1948 after the family finished haying in Idaho, Bruce and Lou were sent up to Canada to check on the hay crop here. The first winter up here was a learning experience for the boys. Not knowing how cold it could get, they set out to haul a load of hay from Brown Road to Tchesinkut Lake by horse team. Wearing shoes and light jackets at minus 38 Fahrenheit they found themselves at Mr. Lords drinking a lot of hot coffee to warm up.
In 1949 his sister Grace moved up here to be with them.
During his highschool years Lou joined the basketball team, he rode bronco in rodeos from Prince George to the Kispiox, his sister Grace was always his pickup man.
After graduating he went to work for Kenny Olson booming logs. Later, he went to work for Uncle Bill Harrison running the first backhoe in the area. In 1953 he became a Canadian citizen because he loved this country so much.
The summer of 1954 was so wet that the haying couldn’t be done. Not the kind of guy to sit around Lou headed up to Colleymount to lend a hand building a new skating rink. That winter with the building complete Lou strapped on his first pair of skates. Winters would find him playing hockey for the Nadina team and summers playing ball for the Francois Lake team.
Lou joined the fire department and was an active member for over 20 years. Lou was a dedicated firefighter and if he was on your crew you knew your back was covered. Even after Lou moved out of town he was never more than a phone call away. When Lou wasn’t working he loved to have fun. He enjoyed snowmobiling, ice fishing, and especially hunting. Louis loved to dance and called square dances for Vern Barge and other local bands in the area. He also enjoyed a good game of cards with the “boys”, every Friday.
Louis worked for the International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission on Bowron Lake near Wells B.C.
In April of 1960 he quit this job to take a higher paying position with B.C. Hydro. Here he worked as a grounds man making a whopping $1.70 per hour.
In 1961 he married his soul mate Bette Lidstone, Lou and Bette had four children in four years, Parker Carol Lee and Alan.
Louis worked for Hamp and Panus in 1962 running equipment for a few years. He then decided to go into business for himself at which he was very successful. Lou was always a fair and honest business man.
Lou’s health forced him into retirement five years ago at which time his youngest son Alan took over the business.
In July 2005 Louis moved into the Pines where he liked to banter with all of the staff. On Friday July 14, 2006 Louis passed away.
Along with Bette, his wife of 45 years, his four children, Parker (Shelly), Carol (Steve), Lee (Simone), Alan (Susan) his grandchildren, Melissa, Dustin, Allison, Elisia, Chantel, Kelly, Mikala and Brianne.
His sister Grace (Glen), brother Bruce (Pat) and sister-in-law Betty. Lou leaves behind many family and friends who will feel his loss.
Lou, we will miss your love, your guidance and most of all your sense of humor.