Sidney Snyder

Sidney Snyder, our beloved father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 100 on November 12, 2025. In the end, it was the undefeated Father Time that took his body, but right up until his final days his mind, spirit, love of family and friends, and zest for life never wavered.

His life was remarkable not only for its length, but for how many people he touched along the way. Born on September 4, 1925, to the late Benjamin and Sarah (Kraftchick) Snyder, Sidney grew up in South Philadelphia at 5th and Washington Avenue. Shortly after graduating from Bok Vocational School in 1943, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He served bravely as a rifleman in the 394th Infantry during the Ardennes, Central Europe, and Rhineland Campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge. Upon his honorable discharge in 1946, Sidney was awarded the World War II Victory Medal. After returning home, he worked for the U.S. Government at the Defense Personnel Support Center right up until his retirement in 1986.

But Sidney’s life was filled with so much more than work. In 1958, he married the love of his life, Shirley (Dorfman), and together they had two children, Ellyn and Marc. When Shirley passed away in 1967, Sidney embraced raising his two young children on his own. His devotion to them never wavered.

A person’s true legacy is the love of their family, and Sidney’s family loved him deeply. He is survived by his children, Ellyn (Dan) and Marc (Maria); his four grandchildren, Shana (Nikolai), Matt (Kelly), Aaron, and Amy; and his two great-grandchildren, Olive and Miles. He was predeceased by his sisters, Esther and Frances, and was adored by his many nieces and nephews. He never forgot a birthday, an anniversary, a graduation, a new job, or a new milestone. Just a week before his passing, he was happily talking about finding a suit to wear for Matt and Kelly’s upcoming December wedding.

Sidney filled his retirement years richly (figuratively, not literally). He had a passion for photography and remained active in a photography club well into his 90s. He also loved finding a good sale, and a visit with his children or grandchildren was never complete without him showing up with paper towels, trash bags, soft pretzels, tuna fish, hoagies, or anything else he spotted on sale at ShopRite. And did he love his food. No buffet in Northeast Philadelphia ever made a profit when Sidney walked in. His legendary appetite culminated in a chicken-wing eating contest victory at age 93.

Sidney was also a lifelong Philly sports fan. He shared memories from a long-gone era like watching Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and the Yankees play the A’s at Shibe Park in 1934, or taking the subway, equipped with a shovel, to get free admission to watch the Eagles beat the Chicago Cardinals for the NFL championship in 1948. His love of sports never faded. He was excited to watch the Eagles play the Packers this past Monday and, without question, would have had plenty to say about the game’s highlights as well as its lowlights.

Since February 2019, Sidney lived at Wesley Enhanced Living Pennypack Park. Our family is deeply grateful to the entire Wesley staff for their care, support, and genuine kindness over the past six-plus years.

Relatives and friends are invited to Graveside Services will be held Sunday, November 16 at 3:00 PM precisely at Roosevelt Memorial Park (Sec.X), 2701 Old Lincoln Hwy, Trevose, PA 19053.

He loved giving, he loved family, and the bond we all shared with him never faded. Right up until the very end.