Craig A. Snyder, a.k.a. “Snydes”, age 53, of Marion, went to dance with the Saints early Friday morning, August 27, 2010, at Marion General Hospital surrounded by his family following a valiant ten month battle with brain cancer.

On June 26, 1957, Craig was born in Mansfield, Ohio, one of four children of Madelyn (McConachie) Snyder of Mount Gilead, and the late Philip Snyder. He graduated in the Class of 1975 from Mt. Gilead High School.

During school, Craig met his best friend and the love of his life, his “Baby”, Cindi Dawn Morris, for whom he always had a sparkle in his eyes. They were married on December 10, 1977, at Epworth United Methodist Church, where they are members, and they have enjoyed every minute of their 32 years together.

After moving to Marion, he first worked for Marion Power Shovel as a welder and helped his family with their ambulance runs. Next, he worked as a linesman for Marion Cable TV, where he would be promoted to manager. Later, he found his niche in the plumbing supply business, first with Treaty Plumbing Supply and Johnston Supply Company. From there, he became part of the Disney McLane family as their regional sales “mack daddy”, traveling the states of Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky to make sure his customers were taken care of. His motto was to “never over promise, and always over serve” and he “always did what he said he would do.” Having a great working relationship with everyone in the company, they nicknamed him “Snydes”, and he loved being on the open road to represent the company he was proud to call his own.

A proud father of two, Craig would say they are his legacy and he was happiest when he was “taking care of his girls.” They are his “darlin’s” whom he would do anything for and whom he was always over protective of. He talked to them every day before work and start by saying “How are you darlin’?”

Craig found a great passion for cooking. He was famous for his pepperoni rolls and French onion soup, and for his special Craigba’s salsa and chicken dippin’ sauce.

With a love for photography, Craig would often pull over when he was on the road to capture the beauty that would take his breath away. He even went as far as being a wedding photographer on one occasion. An avid “ebayer”, Craig loved searching for the perfect camera lens for himself and his family.

Always looking forward to traveling, Craig and Cindi shared countless wonderful trips to places like Newport Beach, Cancun, Aruba, and Ireland. Though their favorite was their yearly trip to New Orleans together, where they would enjoy the same room and visit the same places because for them it was “perfect.” As a family, they took many trips to “The Camp” in Pennsylvania, where he “felt closest to God.” Also, he enjoyed quick trips to the dog tracks in West Virginia.

A music enthusiast, music for Craig was “one of his favorite things of all time.” He was eclectic in music choices, enjoying everything especially classic rock.

To say he was ornery was a dramatic understatement, as many stories of Craig have become legendary. He often pushed the limits growing up, giving headaches to his parents, teachers, bosses, etc. He was a man who “worked hard and played hard.”

Having the gift of gab, Craig was the best at “working a room” and making everyone else feel comfortable. He could not help himself but to always be the life of the party.

An avid Ohio State University Buckeye fan, Craig loved getting together with family and friends to watch his beloved football team. He would crank up TBDBITL for the neighborhood to share.

To know him, was to love him…Craig was truly one of a kind. He lived life with honor and wisdom, understanding there is always only one way, “the right way.” When you try to think of words that characterize him, you could really say all the best words would be befitting for him… “adoring, generous, passionate, faithful, loyal” and the list goes on and on. He was an optimist, “finding the rainbow in every situation.” He often summarized things very aptly and simply as: “Good Stuff!!”

Through his arduous ten month battle with cancer, Craig handled himself with grace and style. He was a pillar of strength, never complaining, upholding his motto that “Cancer can’t crack this Buckeye nut.”

Left to cherish Craig’s memory are his beloved wife, Cindi Snyder of Marion; two daughters: Tiffani (David) Tobin of Lewis Center, and Cassandra Snyder of Columbus; two adorable grandchildren: Ava Dawn and Craig Joseph “C.J.” Tobin; mother, Madelyn Snyder of Mount Gilead; two brothers and a sister: Trent (Reina) Snyder of Boulder, Colorado, Julie Snyder of Marion, and Clay (Jacqui) Snyder of Delaware; numerous nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, his extended Disney-McLane family, countless dear friends, and “Snyder Nation”.

For Craig, “it is what it is.” “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” (Dr. Seuss)