SNIDE, C Boyd Snide

Passed away in the early morning under a full harvest moon at Columbia Forest LTC Home on October 7, 2025 at the age of 88.

Boyd was born on March 21^st, 1937 in a farmhouse in rural Saskatchewan with his maternal grandmother attending as midwife.  He is survived by his wife Elaine (née Toman), daughters Corinne Snider (Alain Caissie) of Alma, NB, Carla Snider of Waterloo, ON, and grandchildren Anik Caissie (Toronto, ON) and Elise Caissie (Vermillion, AB).  He is also survived by his sister Ruth Sawatzky of Watrous, SK, sister-in-law Faye Bergman of Edmonton, AB, brothers-in-law Earl (Cindie) Toman of Ottawa, ON, Fred (Elsie) Toman of Guernsey, SK, and Barry (Marjorie) Toman of Spiritwood, SK as well as many nieces and nephews.  Boyd is predeceased by his parents Elmer and Bertha Snider, his brother Leslie Snider, and brother-in-law Jacob Sawatzky, all from Watrous, SK as well as his brother-in-law George Bergman of Edmonton, AB.

Boyd began life in a small two-room farmhouse built by his father and turned into a home by his mother in a close-knit Mennonite community in rural Saskatchewan. As the oldest of three, Boyd was given many responsibilities on the farm.  He quit school to work on the farm but decided to go back and complete his high school diploma.  Boyd moved to Edmonton to attend university.  His cousin Norman Deckert and his Geology Professor were very influential to him at this time.  Boyd graduated with a degree in History and Geography as well as a Teaching Certificate.  After marrying Elaine, they moved to Goshen, Indiana to complete his Masters of Divinity.  From there, Boyd and Elaine moved to various locations in southern Ontario, spending one year as Dean of Students at Conrad Grebel College, and eventually settled in St. Thomas, ON where Boyd worked for several years as a teacher at the St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital.  Later, the family moved to Kitchener, ON.  Boyd worked for a year at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate before working at Home Hardware in St. Jacobs until his retirement.

Boyd was a lover of nature.  Vast open Saskatchewan prairies, Ontario forests filled with birds and wildflowers to quietly observe, identify and enjoy, rugged New Brunswick coastlines with tide pools filled with new creatures and colourful rocks to explore.  He studied nature, he learned from it.  It soothed him.  He tried to walk gently on this Earth.

Church was important to Boyd throughout his life.  He was part of the founding group who began Waterloo North Mennonite Church.  He supported the work of MCC in caring for others.  He volunteered with Ten Thousand Villages’ Festival Sales in Atlantic Canada. He rode bicycle in support of various non-profit organizations.  Boyd enjoyed many years playing slo-pitch in the church league and became quite a good pitcher.  Living far away from home, church friends became family for Boyd and his family.

Family was also very important to Boyd.  He maintained close connections with family members across Canada.  Cousins and their families who also moved to Ontario were especially important.  We grew up feeling part of this extended family.

Boyd was able to continue living at home with the support of Elaine and Carla until the end of June.  He spent the summer living at Freeport Hospital and had recently moved into Columbia Forest.  The family is grateful for the compassionate care he was given at both these facilities.

Cremation has taken place.  The funeral service will be held at Waterloo North Mennonite Church, 100 Benjamin Rd, Waterloo, ON, on Saturday, October, 18th, 2025 at 2:00 pm.  A reception and time of sharing will follow at the church.

A private family internment will take place at Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, condolences for the family or donations to Mennonite Central Committee ON, Mennonite Disaster Service, or Beyond Housing may be arranged through the funeral home at (519) 745-8445 or at www.erbgood.com.