Edward Snook

First and foremost, Edward Snook was a family man; he loved his son unconditionally, and many of his happiest memories in life involved the 43 years he spent with his beloved wife. Ed had a natural social talent that always left people charmed and smiling, and he was a good friend to the many people he knew throughout his life.

The year was 1923 – gas was 20 cents a gallon and a first-class stamp was only 2 cents. In a land far away, Adolf Hitler was writing “Mein Kampf” while in prison for attempting to overthrow the German government, while a man named Mussolini was gaining power in Italy. These events would play a role in little Ed’s life, eventually. But they were far from the hearts and minds of his parents, Earl and Ruth (Dauser) Snook, on February 19, 1923, the day Edward was born. He was the second of eight Snook children: Earl, Ed, Richard, Catherine, Robert, Dorothy, Jack and Betty.

Ed was born and raised on the west side of Grand Rapids, Michigan, in their family home on Valley Avenue. To support their large family, Ed’s father worked as an auto mechanic, while his mother had her hands full as a homemaker. Like many other families, the Great Depression was very hard on the Snooks, but they were close knit and held firm by the things that money couldn’t buy. The family was members of the Methodist church, and this strong religious upbringing would always be an important part of Ed’s life. A typical boy, Ed enjoyed playing all kinds of sports, including basketball in high school and shooting pool with his buddies. He received his education at Sibley Elementary School and went on to graduate from Union High in 1941.

After high school, Ed took a job with Standard Oil Co. on Butterworth Street, working on the loading docks. However, after war broke out overseas, he followed the same patriotic calling of many young men at the time, and enlisted in the U.S. Army. After honorably serving for three years, Ed received his discharge and returned home to his job at Standard Oil, where he eventually became a truck driver. Ed was a loyal employee of Standard Oil for 35 years before retiring in 1982.

It was during this time that Ed met and married a lovely young girl named Jessie. Sadly, they were only married for two years before Jessie died of kidney failure. But Ed was not destined to be alone; he was later introduced to Josephine Askins through a mutual friend, and after dating for a while, they were married on August 6, 1961, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Grandville, Michigan. Ed and Josephine were blessed with a son, Edward II, who brought great pride and joy to his parents. For a time, the family lived on Pine Street, but later bought a house on Westmont Dr. NW. Here they became devout members of St. James Catholic Church, where little Ed also attended school and graduated from West Catholic High. Time together as a family was always important to Ed and Josephine, and they took a few memorable cross-country trips out west to California to visit her brother, Father Robert Askins.

One of Ed’s favorite pastimes was bowling, and he was a pretty good bowler too. Over the years, he played on several leagues at Clique Lanes, and won the city bowling tournament in 1965. Ed also acted as secretary on a couple of leagues, was lane inspector at tournaments, and served on the Board of Directors for the Greater Grand Rapids Bowlers Association. Throughout his bowling career, Ed befriended many of the professional bowlers in the area. When it came to watching sports, Ed was a die-hard fan of the Detroit Pistons, Lions, and Tigers.

Although Ed’s life was happy, it was also marked by great sorrow. In 1978, his wife, Josephine, suffered a devastating stroke, which left her terribly disabled. For the next 25 years, Ed tenderly cared for her until her passing on February 28, 2004. Sadder yet, Ed collapsed in his home on Wednesday evening, September 26, 2007, and died, and was found there by a friend.

Ed was a man dedicated to his family and faith. He spent his life balancing hard work with being a loving husband and father, and succeeded in providing the best for his family. He never thought twice about going out of his way to help someone who needed him. Ed lent his compassion and sense of humor to everyone around him and in doing so, brightened many lives.

Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine Snook. He is survived by his son, Edward D. Snook II and fiancée Denise Parsaca; his brother, Jack (Carmela) Snook; sister, Betty (Roger) Manning; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law; nieces, nephews and many friends.

Ed was a member of St. James Catholic Church where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 1, at 10:00 a.m. (please meet at church). Burial in Chapel Hill Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet his family on Sunday, September 30, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids. A scriptures service will be prayed at the funeral home on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. Please visit Ed’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with his family and/or sign his online guest book.