Kenneth Robert Snider

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Don Snider (Tara) (Winnipeg) Nancy (Ross) Bailey and (Thunder Bay, ON); grandchildren: Alexandra, David, Shauna, Julia and Van; great grandson Jack; nieces and nephews David, Robert, James, John, Judith, & John.

He was predeceased by his loving wife Mary of 54 years of marriage, his parents Gordon and Gertrude Snider; brother and sister in-law Stewart and Dulcie Snider; and brother and sister in-laws Neil and Nancy Black.

Ken Snider was born in Winnipeg and lived in the North End till the family moved to Ethelbert Street where he attended Gordon Bell High School. His father was a teacher there and encouraged a love of music. He was also active in sports and was member of the school basketball and football teams. Summers were spent at their Matlock Lake cottage.

After high school he attended University of Manitoba where he studied Architecture. While attending university he also played in the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and various jazz bands. He ultimately had to decide between a career in music or architecture. Architecture won out. At the same time he was a member of the University’s Basketball Team and later the Faculty Team. In 1953 he graduated with a Masters Degree in Architecture.

Ken met his future wife at the Winnipeg Badminton Club in 1953 and they married in 1955. They had two children and built a house that Ken had designed in Fort Garry where they lived for over 50 years. In 1964 Ken left the architectural firm where he was working and entered a national competition to design the University of British Columbia’s Student Union. After being awarded the contract he joined a firm which became Pratt Lindgren Snider Tomcej and Associates. Along with being a successful firm, lifetime friendships were developed.

Ken and Mary were long time members of the Wildewood Club where they played badminton and curled. They were also members of the Niakwa Country Club for almost 50 years and in 1991 he designed the new Niakwa Club House. Their love of golf took them on many happy holidays in places such as Florida, California, Portugal, Scotland, Texas and British Columbia. He loved to paint and draw, and his annual Christmas Card featuring a drawing of a Winnipeg landmark building was much sought after. His love of music never diminished and he played for years in the Belgium Club Concert Band and attended Jazz Band Camps in the summer at the Peace Gardens.

Ken loved his five grandchildren and spent a lot of time attending all there many sports events along with dropping everything if he got a call from any of them for help on anything or a quick ride because they were running late. Although he lost Mary in 2010 he met his first great grandchild this last September.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, March 13, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard, Winnipeg.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Linda Sherrin and all of her wonderful staff at Riverwood Square.

In lieu of flowers donations in Ken's memory can be made to the Manitoba Cancer Care Foundation.