Ralph (Dusty) Snyder of Greenwood, Florida passed away peacefully Saturday July 9, 2022, at the age of 88. Dusty was born January 16, 1934, in Sharon, Connecticut to Theron and Irene (Lewis) Snyder. He grew up in Millerton, New York.
Dusty married the love of his life, Jane Sanders, on May 18, 1973, in Millbrook, New York. Jane preceded him in death on June 1, 2017. He lived for many years on their farm in Chestnut Ridge before moving to Elizaville and then to Florida in 2021 to be closer to family.
He attended local schools. Dusty worked as a custodian for Webutuck Central Schools for several years. While on the farm, Dusty raised turkeys, chickens and ducks. He never turned away a stray dog or cat. He enjoyed the outside; gardening, hunting, working with his tractors, and feeding his deer, who visited every night for their treats. He loved his Christmas cactus collection and his African violets. Dusty passed his love of nature and all it has to offer on to his children and grandchildren. He will always be remembered as Grandpa, the guy who knew how to do everything. His grandchildren will cherish this memory and all he taught them about life.
Dusty was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Sanders Snyder; his parents, Theron and Irene Snyder; and his sisters, Madeline Hoyt and Elizabeth Thorpe.
He is survived by his daughter, Laurie and her husband, George Cox of Winter Haven, FL; his son, Michael and his wife, Rebecca of Greenwood, FL, with whom he made his home; grandchildren, Rachel (Brian) Williams of Oregon; Chris Cox of Winter Haven, Zachary (Deanna) Snyder of Samson, AL, Timothy (Genesis) Snyder of Fort Riley, KS, and Kyle Snyder of Fort Riley, KS; great-grandchildren, Brooke, John, and Belle Williams of Oregon, and Rhykar Snyder of Alabama. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Richard Hoyt and his family; his niece, Maryanne Flint and her family; and nieces, Linda (John) Hughes, Brenda (Kirk) Hamilton, Kathy Russell; nephew, Howard (Barbara) Sanders and their families; along with his longtime best friend, Artie Heck and his wife, Donna; dear friends and former neighbors, Primo and Kathy Sherman Mancini; Jesse, Kay and Emma Murphy, Ashley Phipps, and Mindy Schofield.
We would like to thank Cody, Kelly, Georgia, Priscilla, Jarvis and Amy of Emerald Coast Hospice for their care and kindness extended to Dusty, and to us all.
Visitation will be Saturday, July 16, 2022, at James & Sikes Funeral Home, Maddox Chapel from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Dusty will be laid to rest in the family plot in Nine Partner’s Cemetery, Millbrook, New York at the direction of Allen Funeral Home. The date is not yet determined.
Anyone considering a donation in Dusty’s name, we hope that you consider Emerald Coast Hospice, Marianna, FL, or Columbia-Green ASPCA, Hudson, New York, or your local food bank.
