MAGLHSneider

From MasonicGenealogy
Jump to: navigation, search

HARRY EDWARD SNEIDER 1918-2011

HarrySneider.JPG

Junior Grand Warden, 2001

BIOGRAPHY

HarrySneider2001.jpg

From TROWEL, Spring 2001, Page 6:

Serving as a Grand Lecturer since 1993, Right Worshipful Harry E. Sneider of Waltham was elected Junior Grand Warden in his first attempt and was installed to that office by the Grand Master. Raised in Isaac Parker Lodge in 1962, he presided in the East in 1975, 1976 and 1983. In 1985 he was presented the Joseph Warren Distinguished Service Medal.

He is not unlike so many other men who were not active DeMolay boys, but who have made up for it as Masons by contributing their time and money to make the fraternity vibrant for the young men, like his own three sons who became active in Waltham Chapter. He served five years as chapter advisor and five additional years as the chairman of the advisory council. In 1980-83 he was the District Deputy of the Seventh Middlesex District and in 1985-86 he was President of the Massachusetts Court. DeMolay Legion of Honor. He was recipient of the Honorary Legion of Honor in 1970.

Brother Sneider has shared the honor, pride and joy that goes with raising two of his three sons and knowing that all three are members of the Craft. They, in turn, have made him a proud great-grandfather. He was District Deputy Grand Master of the Brighton Fifth Masonic District in 1986-87.

Six years of his life were spent with the United States Army. He went the entire nine yards of World War II, beginning with North Africa, then Italy, France and Germany, plus a stint in England serving as a Chief Warrant Officer in the Ordnance Department. Even the Army knew a good man when they had him. When the last shot was fired and he returned to Waltham, he picked up where he had left off— in the paint business. Not painting with a brush, but travelling New England selling dealer and industrial accounts for somebody else to do the painting.

Our new Junior Grand Warden has served as president of the Fifth District Past Masters' Association and he has affiliated with The Masters and Norumbega and Brookline Lodges, both meeting in Newtonville. He was a certified instructor with the 34th Lodge of Instruction, a committee member and instructor with the District Deputy Grand Masters Training Program. His Scottish Rite membership is with the Valley of Boston and Massachusetts Consistory.

For most of his life he has been a member of the First Parish Church of Waltham but, like many others, finds himself inactive since the Unitarian Universalist faith has chosen to embrace a liberalism not consistent with what the founders had in mind.

"I really enjoyed my many years as a DeMolay Advisor; found it to be a rewarding experience that still lives when you have a man come up to you and call you Dad. It makes me feel I did something good for a young generation." Many men share his joy, but not enough Masons will get involved to learn that every boy needs a big brother. For Right Worshipful Harry Edward Sneider DeMolay has carved a big niche in his life and which he continues to serve.

MEMORIAL

OBITUARY FROM LEGACY.COM, 2011

From Legacy.com, 2011:

SNEIDER, Harry E. Sr. Of Waltham, May 5, 2011. Husband of Patricia A. (McGrady) Sneider. Father of Harry E. Sneider, Jr. and his wife, Debra, of Saxonville, Kenneth L. Sneider and his wife, Janet, of Billerica and Thomas A. Sneider and his wife, Linda, of Medford. Also survived by four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Family and friends will honor and remember Harry's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), WALTHAM, on Monday, May 9th, from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Tuesday afternoon when his funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Interment in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne will be private. Memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114.

PROCEEDINGS, 2017

From Proceedings, Page 2017-251:

Harry E. Sneider, a Past Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, died in Waltham, Massachusetts in May, 2011. The following memorial is provided as a supplement to the 2017 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge. His necrology appears on Page 65 of the 2011 Proceedings.

R. W. Harry Edward Sneider was born in 1918, in the last year of the First World War, and was therefore of the Greatest Generation that fought for the world’s freedom during the Second World War. He fought with the United States Army in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany; his biography from TROWEL magazine in 2001 says that “he went the entire nine yards” and that “the Army knew a good man when they had him.”

When his war service was complete, he returned to his home town of Waltham and resumed his life, “picking up where he left off” in the paint business – at one time traveling throughout New England selling dealer and industrial accounts for professional painters. In later years, he stayed closer to home as a frequently-consulted expert.

Brother Sneider came to Masonic light in 1962 in Isaac Parker Lodge of Waltham, rising through the officers’ chairs to become Worshipful Master in 1975, in which position he served with distinction for two years, returning again to serve a third term a few years later. His work did not go unnoticed, as he was chosen as District Deputy Grand Master of the Brighton Fifth Masonic District in 1986 and 1987 for Grand Masters Richardson and Ames.

Though he did not have the DeMolay experience as a boy, he made it a part of his life when he joined Masonry; all three of his sons became active in Waltham Chapter. He served five years as Chapter Advisor and five additional years as chairman of the advisory council. In 1985 and 1986 he was President of the Massachusetts Court of the DeMolay Legion of Honor, and received the Honorary Legion of Honor in 1970. In 1985 he was presented with the Joseph Warren Distinguished Service Medal.

Many young Masons came to know Brother Sneider through his long service as an instructor at the 34th Lodge of Instruction, where he worked diligently to clarify and explain the meaning of the degrees to candidates. As he progressed in Masonry, he was chosen to serve as a Grand Lecturer, in which capacity he was a light to the Brethren performing those degrees. He also served on many occasions in many lodges – not only his mother lodge (Waltham Triad Lodge from 1988 on) but also other lodges in the Fifth District. He was a strict, but supportive, taskmaster, expecting and applauding the best work.

In 2001 he was Junior Grand Warden, one of the oldest men ever to be elected to that office, and he served with ability and distinction, attending many events and bringing his charm and grace to the communications and activities of the Grand Lodge. After his year in the South he continued to be very active at all levels of the Fraternity, including participation in the Valley of Boston, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.

He passed to the Celestial Lodge above in May of 2011, a figure who truly lived respected and died regretted.


Distinguished Brothers