Philip A. Snyder

DOVER - After a brief illness resulting from complications of epyemea, Philip "Phil" Albert Snyder, 83, passed away peacefully at home on the afternoon of June 13, 2019.  He and his wife Yvonne (Shaffer) Snyder were married for 62 years.   Born on July 5, 1935, Phil was the son of the late Pauline Snyder Messenger.  He attended Dover Area High School where he played soccer and was a member of the 1950 District Champion soccer team. Later he played baseball for the Dover Central Baseball League, and the York County Amateur League where he was named MVP in 1956.

After high school, he entered the field of home construction, learning the trade from, and working with local custom builders. He ultimately established his own custom home construction business, Philip A. Snyder Construction, from which he retired in his early seventies. He worked in the field of custom home construction and remodeling for almost 60 years, working primarily in York County.

Phil was a lifetime member of both The National Builders Association and The York County Builders Association where he served as president in 1990, and was an active lifetime member of The Dover Fish & Game Association where he held the offices of president and treasurer. Phil also served on the Board of Directors for the Dover branch of the former York Bank & Trust. Additionally, he was a member of a number of other social clubs in the area, and had lifetime memberships to The Rooster Club, The 13th Ward Democratic Club and the Prince Club.

Phil always enjoyed hunting and golfing and was a true animal lover, under his tough exterior. The family home hosted a menagerie of pets over the years. Those who knew Phil when he was in business, probably remember his Pekingese "guard" dogs that accompanied him to work each day. They were adorable dogs, but fiercely defended "their" truck from uninvited onlookers.  Many homeless cats were fortunate to stumble upon the Snyder home.  He couldn't turn them away, so more-often-than not, it became their new home.  Blackie is the most recent wanderer to become part of the family. Phil also doted on his "animal cracker loving" goats, Cocoa and Toasty.

In addition to his wife, Yvonne, Phil is survived by two daughters, Cynthia Snyder/Lewis Kunkel of Dover, and Jane Snyder of Lancaster, and one grandson, Chris Rauhauser of San Francisco.   Also, he was predeceased by his step father, Ralph Messinger, his half-brother, Ralph Messinger, Jr., his guard dogs Pekie and Misty, and his famous pet deer Alvin.

The family would also like to thank the ICU staff at UPMC Harrisburg and Hospice of Central Pennsylvania, who provided excellent care and support during his brief, unexpected illness.

In order to honor Phil's compassion for animals, the family requests donations in his name to Feline Solutions, Inc., a non-profit, volunteer rescue for stray cats.  Donations can be mailed to Feline Solutions, Inc., 1482 Clayoma Ave, York PA 17408 or be made online at https://www.adoptapet.com/feline-solutions/.  Donations can also be made in Phil's name to the Dover Fish & Game Association Scholarship Fund.

A celebration of his life and visitation will be held on Sunday, June 30 at the Dover Township Community Center, at 3700 Davidsburg Rd, Dover, PA 17315, beginning at 2:00 pm.

Feline Solutions, Inc.
1482 Clayoma Ave, York PA 17408
Web: http://www.adoptapet.com/feline-solutions/

Dover Fish & Game Association Scholarship Fund
6071 Fish and Game Rd, Dover PA 17315