20060315 Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, 20, of Westminster

Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, 20, of Westminster

Westminster Eagle Obituaries 03/15/06

Lance Corporal Matthew A. Snyder, USMC, of Westminster was killed instantly March 3, while on assignment in Al Qaim, Iraq.

Stationed out of Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif., he was on a convoy mission for which he volunteered when the Humvee he was traveling in overturned.

Lance Cpl. Snyder was born July 18, 1985, and lived in Carroll County until he followed his heart and chose to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps upon graduating in 2003 from Westminster High School.

After completing training at Parris Island and Camp LeJeune, he was stationed at Twenty-Nine Palms until his deployment to Iraq in February 2006.

He was a young man who truly loved and embraced life, and lived his 20 years to the fullest.

He attended Sandymount Elementary School and loved sports. He played soccer and baseball for many years through various recreational programs. He also loved everything outdoors, including fishing and being at the beach.

He loved hiking and activity, and spent many days at Cascade Lake and the Westminster Skate Park.

Snyder was a devoted brother and cousin who enjoyed family parties, playing football games and swimming in the pool. He was a wonderful role model to his younger cousins.

He was proud to be a Marine and filled the position with dignity. Just before his deployment, he said he volunteered for convoy escort security because in his words, "there was a position that needs to be filled and I'm a Marine."

He was the beloved son of Julia A. Snyder (nee Francis) of Westminster and Albert L. Snyder of York, Pa., and the beloved brother of Sarah Anne and Tracie Lynne.

He was the cherished grandson of maternal grandparents John and Cay Francis and paternal grandparents Albert and Rosemary Snyder; great-grandson of maternal grandmother Helyn Pessaro; dear nephew of Cathy and Grant Menefee, Jane and Tommy Perkins, Andy and Mary Anne Francis, Bonnie Snyder and Debbie and Mark Krause; loving cousin of Emilie, Luke and John Menefee, Tommy, Heather, Billy and Catie Perkins, Drew and Kayla Francis, Sam and Jess Krause; and many close friends.

He was preceded in death by a cousin, Lauren Francis.

A Mass of Christian burial was held in his home parish of St. John Catholic Church in Westminster on March 10, and burial took place at Garrison Forest Cemetery. Arrangements were by Pritts Funeral Home, Westminster.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans Memorial Program, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 (www.dav.org).