Celebrating the life of
John Christian Snedeker
September 04, 1927 - November 14, 2016
John Christian Snedeker, longtime resident of Wilmington Island, passed away on November 14, 2016 after several years of declining health. He was 89 years old.
John was born in Babylon, NY on September 4, 1927 to Charles Valentine Snedeker and Marion Olsen Snedeker. His early years involved much time sailing the waters of Great South Bay. John loved sailing and the water, and was never far from either. He was throughout his life industrious, determined; principled, steady, and honest; a good man and father.
John graduated from Babylon High School in 1944 as Salutatorian, and then went on to Cornell University for one year before attending the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Mississippi for one year; returning to Cornell with a Grumman Engineering Scholarship to complete Studies, graduating in 1949. He then began working at Grumman Aircraft in Bethpage, NY, rising eventually to position of business manager for the Apollo LEM program at Grumman.
John married Eve Kinloch in October, 1951 and they resided in Bellport, NY for 15 years, raising three sons, John C. Snedeker, Jr., Dwight Austin Snedeker, and Charles Valentine Snedeker. Those years were a time of a growing young family, working at Grumman, and racing Star boats on Great South Bay. John was a two-term commodore of the Bellport Bay Yacht Club in the 1950’s, and his passion for sailing earned him many a victory cup, often partnering with William King on North Star. He was rarely far from the water, either racing, or with his family on the boat he built himself, Scrimshaw.
In the late 1960’s he moved the family to Florida, where he tried his hand at being a hotelier. Sadly, this venture did not pan out well, and John returned to work in aerospace at a subsidiary of Grumman – Gulfstream Aviation in Savannah. He eventually retired from there, and the rest of his working life was spent as a self-employed consultant on maritime and government contracting. He married his second wife, Ellen Martin Snedeker, in May, 1980, and the two of them lived aboard his yacht Lyric for many years on Turner’s Creek in Wilmington Island.
John was always a student of history, and took an active interest in politics, both national and local. For years his well-reasoned and eloquent letters to the editor appeared regularly in the Savannah News. He was a member of the Savannah chapter of the Navy League.
He is survived by his wife Ellen, her children and grandchildren, his sister, Emma Marie (Happy) Snedeker, and predeceased by his sister Marianne Snedeker; also survived by his sons John C. Snedeker, Jr. (Laurie) of Charleston, SC, Dwight Austin Snedeker (Gitane) of Jensen Beach, FL, Charles Valentine Snedeker (Amanda) of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and grandsons Marshall, Andrew, Samuel, and granddaughter Eve.
The Snedeker family would like to express our sincerest appreciation to the staff at Summer Breeze Senior Retirement Community, Comfort Keepers, and the Comfort Keepers caretakers, especially Deborah Murray, who took such loving care of him; his long-time friend and financial advisor Don Moore; Rick Gnann; Hospice of Savannah; Robert and Brian Shivera, and numerous others who helped John and his family through some difficult final years.
Donations in his memory may be made to watermission.org or savethegreatsouthbay.org.
My condolences to the Snedeker Family. John was a very good man from Babylon #2, N.Y. 11702. Reading his life story was like living back in the Village of Babylon and Grumman of Bethpage of the 1950 and 1960s. The Great South Bay was great in those days. Dad would take his sons to Bellport to ice skate on the frozen salt water and watch the ice skaters with sails zoom by. My mother was from the class of BHS 1930, sons 1959, 1964 and 1966. I just gave 2 Grumman Gulfstream 1 glasses to the museum at Gulfstream plant in Savannah, Ga. John will be missed but his memories will go on with his family and friends. May the Good Lord watch over you all every day.
- Skinner, N Charleston, SC
My condolences to the family. I am sorry for your loss. I pray God comforts and strengthens the family during this time of bereavement. Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength. A help that is readily found in times of distress." The family is in my prayers.
- Lisa, , South Carolina
John was a very good man. I loved him very much. I am very sure he is now with his heavenly father and we will all be with him again one day!
- , ,
My condolences to the Snedeker Family on the passing of your loved one. Please find comfort in knowing that your loss is shared and that your loved one is in Jehovah's memory [John 5:28]
- , Lawrenceville , GA
My condolences to the Snedeker Family. John was a very good man from Babylon #2, N.Y. 11702. Reading his life story was like living back in the Village of Babylon and Grumman of Bethpage of the 1950 and 1960s. The Great South Bay was great in those days. Dad would take his sons to Bellport to ice skate on the frozen salt water and watch the ice skaters with sails zoom by. My mother was from the class of BHS 1930, sons 1959, 1964 and 1966. I just gave 2 Grumman Gulfstream 1 glasses to the museum at Gulfstream plant in Savannah, Ga. John will be missed but his memories will go on with his family and friends. May the Good Lord watch over you all every day.
- Skinner, N Charleston, SC
My condolences to the family. I am sorry for your loss. I pray God comforts and strengthens the family during this time of bereavement. Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength. A help that is readily found in times of distress." The family is in my prayers.
- Lisa, , South Carolina
John was a very good man. I loved him very much. I am very sure he is now with his heavenly father and we will all be with him again one day!
- , ,
My condolences to the Snedeker Family on the passing of your loved one. Please find comfort in knowing that your loss is shared and that your loved one is in Jehovah's memory [John 5:28]
- , Lawrenceville , GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
