Richard Snay

NORTH GROSVENORDALE – Richard A. Snay, of Riverside Drive, passed peacefully at home November 11, 2025, at the age of 90.

Richard is lovingly remembered by his children: Mark Snay and his wife Darlene of North Grosvenordale, Lisa Berg and her husband Michael of Dudley, and Susan Davey and her husband Scott of Sturbridge. He cherished his ten grandchildren, Brianna, Nathan, Matthew, Andy, Emily, Sydney, Luke, Sam, Sawyer and Aidan and his four great-grandchildren Jackson, Memphis, Hudson and Kashden who brought immense joy to his life. He was looking forward to meeting his two new great grandchildren, soon to be a part of his family legacy.

He was predeceased by his son, Eric Snay, who passed away in 2002, as well as his three siblings Roland Snay, Roger Snay and Dorothy Rodman.

Born on July 6, 1935 at his parents’ home in Webster, Massachusetts, he was the son of Arban and Mary Rose (Lacroix) Snay. Richard moved with his family to Oxford, MA in 1946 and graduated from Oxford High School in 1953. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1955-1957 on the U.S.S. Otterstetter, a Radar Picket Destroyer Escort, searching for and reporting on aircraft along the Atlantic coast during the Cold War era.

He built a successful career as a brick mason, dedicating over 40 years to his craft with Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen Union Local 3 out of Worcester, MA. Many buildings throughout central Massachusetts, Connecticut and several other states are a testament to Richard’s expertise in his trade. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Church in North Grosvenordale, CT, the Thompson Historical Society, The French Canadian Genealogical Society of Tolland CT and the American-French Genealogical Society of Woonsocket RI.

Richard had many interests and hobbies to include fishing, hunting, clamming, dancing, blacksmithing and more. He was an avid gardener, learning out of necessity from his early life during the waning years of the great depression through WWII and later to help feed his own family. He always grew enough food for preserving through canning and freezing which would last him through to the following season. His numerous varieties of pickles were a favorite of all who tried them. He was also an expert in hunting for and cooking of wild mushrooms. Even later in life, when it was no longer a necessity, he continued to plant his large garden every year, later along with his brother Roger, until he could no longer physically manage the work. He enjoyed cooking for himself as well as family and would often give them the wonderful vegetables he grew and processed.

Richard was an insatiable reader, participating in many book sales, perusing local used book stores, yard sales and the transfer station swap shed for books pertaining to the many subjects for which he had interest. His personal library could rival most private collections. He had great interest in US and local history and especially his family history, which he began researching more than 50 years ago, compiling a large volume of information of his family and ever telling the stories of his childhood. He spent more than 50 years metal detecting, always searching for that elusive hoard of coins or treasure that he never found, but enjoying the “junk” items which he would often ponder as to how they were lost.

Richard was a Jack of all trades. Masonry, carpentry, plumbing, landscaping and more, it was a rare occasion that he would have to hire an outside source or service to perform anything needed for his home and property. With the birth of Sue and Eric requiring more room at home, he decided to build an addition onto his home. He would come home each day from his job as a mason and then work on the addition to the house, usually until well after dark. He did this every week until it was completed and habitable. The quality of any of his work and the energy and dedication to his family could not be rivaled.

The family would like to thank the staff of Assisted Living Services, Inc. and Hospice and Palliative Care of N.E. Connecticut. Most of all, a heartfelt thank you to Francis. Your care, love and friendship for dad over the past two years made his life comfortable and we know he loved you and your companionship, for which we will ever be grateful. He always looked forward to your KFC and scratch ticket Fridays.

A graveside service to celebrate Richard's life will be held at 11 AM on Monday, November 17th, at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Webster, located at 17 Old Worcester Road.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Richard’s memory to the Thompson Historical Society, PO box 47, Thompson, CT 06277.

An online guestbook and tribute video will be available at www.BelangerFuneralHome.com.