George W. Snavely Obituary

From the December 8th edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

"SNAVELY GEORGE W.Age 96, of Plum Boro, peacefully on Monday, December 7, 2009. Husband of the late Betty J.; beloved mother of Norman (Jil) DeShong, Carol (David) Zangrilli and George E. (Laura) Snavely; grandfather of 11; great grandfather of 10; brother of Isabelle, Ada and Frances. Worked at Westinghouse for 38 years. Friends received Tuesday and Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 at SOXMAN FUNERAL HOMES, LTD. 7450 Saltsburg Road (at Universal Road) Penn Hills, PA 15235 where a service will be held Thursday at 11am. Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb"

George Washington Snavely

The blows fall thick and fast these days. Too soon after Aunt Babe's death comes word that over the weekend, Uncle George Snavely passed away at the age of 96. The information currently available to me indicates that the cause of death was a heart attack suffered in the hospital, where he was recovering from a previous attack. I do not yet know the exact date and time of his death.

The family is making arrangements through the Soxman Funeral Home, 7450 Saltsburg Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 (telephone 413-793-3000). Viewing hours will be 2-4 P.M. and 7-9 P.M. on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 8 and 9. The funeral will be held at 11 A.M. on Thursday, December 10, at the Funeral Home's Roth Chapel.

Sometime in the next few days I hope to publish Uncle George's full obituary. In the meantime, let me note that he was born on February 22, 1913, and that he was a member of the Altoona High School Class of 1930. He is survived by his daughter Carol Zangrilli and his son George and their spouses and children, and also by his sisters Isabelle Stiffler, Ada Munchak and Frances Woomer.

In closing this short, sad note, let me add a passage from Uncle George's High School Yearbook. It was contributed by Principal George D. Robb, and dedicated by him to the Class of 1930. It is a sentiment from a far-away time and place that seems fitting today.

"At the close of life the question is not, how much have you got, but how much have you given; not how much have you won, but how much have you done; not how much have you saved, but how much have you sacrificed; how much have you loved and served, not how much you were honored."

Uncle George, we thank you for everything you have done for our family. We will always remember - and honor - you.