A 2010 photograph of a plaque that was installed at the former location of the home and business of Guy E. Snyder (1934-2017), who lived next door to the Gratz National Bank, Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
The plaque states the following:
This Gazebo Has Been Erected By
The Gratz National Bank
In Honor Of
GUY E. SNYDER
Guy lived at a home at this site for 56 years. He will also be remembered and appreciated by the employees of the Gratz National Bank.
Dedicated this month of September in the Year of Our Lord, Two-Thousand and Seven
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The story behind this plaque and the gazebo was that in Guy Snyder‘s latter years, the Gratz National Bank was the custodian of his affairs and the bank purchased Snyder’s real property to have sufficient funds for his upkeep and care. At first Guy resided at the Gratz Park Terrace, operated by the Dauphin County Housing Authority. As long as he was able to do so, he rode his bicycle over to his old property and watched as his old home was demolished by the bank, the small park created, and the gazebo installed. However, by about 2011, he was no longer able to take care of himself and the bank obtained placement for him at Susquehanna Village, a nursing facility in Millersburg. At the same time, the bank was planning an addition with a drive-in window. The gazebo was removed to the Gratz Community Park and the construction was completed for the bank addition. What had been Guy Snyder‘s home, was transformed first into a park with a gazebo and then into an paved parking lot and access lane for the drive-in window. This of course caused “consternation” among some residents of Gratz who were also fighting the construction of a poultry building by an Amish farmer at the east end of the town and the two issues spilled into each other at “secret” meetings of the Gratz Zoning Board which were held at the Gratz Historical Society building in violation of the Sunshine Laws. Eventually, this resulted in the disbanding of the Gratz Zoning Board, mainly for violating the Sunshine Laws. Both the bank and the Amish farmer were successful in their projects.
When Guy E. Snyder died on August 16, 2017, his obituary appeared in local newspapers and also on the web site of the Buffington-Reed Funeral Home:
Guy E. Snyder, age 82 and a lifelong resident of the Gratz area, passed away Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at the Manor at Susquehanna Village, Millersburg, Pennsylvania, where he was a resident for more than five years.
He was born Saturday, October 6, 1934, and was the son of the late Earl Snyder and Carrie [Smeltz] Snyder of Gratz. He had one sister, the late Anna Sander. After the passing of Guy’s father, The Gratz Bank and the Gratz Historical Society became an integral part of his life, and along with Simeon Lutheran Church, became his extended family.
For many years, Guy could often be found on his bike traveling a great distance all around the Gratz area in search of “finds” for resale at his shop that he owned and operated. When Guy wasn’t busy collecting and selling his “treasures” and scrap metal, you could always find Guy providing invaluable support to those organizations where he was a faithful assistant and friend.
While living in Gratz, on Sundays Guy enjoyed attending services at Simeon Lutheran Church in Gratz, where he was surrounded by caring members of the church’s congregation. As a resident at Susquehanna Village, he enjoyed the reading of their monthly newsletter, and appreciated the well-wishes and the visits he received from the church’s members.
He now rests in peace, and will be missed for his friendship and his adventurous spirit. He will also be missed for his uncanny ability to change thoughts mid-sentence, for his love of Tasty Cakes and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and for the many life lessons he shared with those close to him throughout the years.
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