George Chase Snell Jr.

George Chase Snell, Jr., 77, of Manchester, NH, son of the late George and Eva Snell, passed away at the White River Junction VA Medical Center, early February 16, 2019 after a long illness and complications from surgery. Born in Springfield, VT December 27, 1941, and raised in North Springfield, Vermont, George, known as Junior, attended Springfield High School (1960), then joined the United States Marine Corp in May 1959 and served as a cook through April 1963. The highlight of his military service was the Mediterranean Cruise from May 15 to October 4, 1962, continuing aboard ship off the shore of Cuba through December 1st, 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis; dubbed the "Battalion 2/6 that never returned." After discharge from the USMC, George enlisted in Vermont National Guards in 1965 through 1968. During this time, he worked as a machine operator at Fellows Gear Shaper and Jones & Lamson Machine Company. In the 1970's, George worked as Foreman for various construction companies, building bridges, and large complexes, throughout New England, and in the late 1980's, George began working in his brother's company, Industrial Service Corporation of America. Easing into retirement, he worked part-time at WalMart until his health prevented him from doing so. From childhood throughout his life, George faithfully attended the Green Mountain Bible Conference, known as "Bethel Camp." Throughout the 1970's and 1980, he worked tirelessly with the Boy Scouts of America, beginning with his work with Tiger Clubs. If he wasn't arranging activities for his Scout Troops, he was actively involved in church work, singing, rooting for the Patriots, Red Sox, and Boston Bruins, or cooking. His breakfasts at the Annual Fuller Reunion, held at Round Pond, in Newbury, VT will be dearly missed! George was often found at Sweeney Post #2, American Legion, where he was a member. Volumes of paperwork resulted from countless hours, spanning a number of years, of George's free time spent researching the family genealogy with long-time friend and Genealogist, Lyn Olmstead of West Rutland. At the risk of excluding friends and neighbors who were helpful in the care of George over the years, for which the family is exceptionally thankful, the family would like to offer special thanks to neighbors Ron Soucy, and Bob and Rachel Sinclair for looking out for George, and to Pastor Azeltine who, with the help of members of the Bethel Christian Church, called on George from time to time and even repaired a leaking roof. He is survived by his daughter, Alicia (Chuck) Gordon, and grandchildren, Denielle Gordon, Joseph (Cheyenne) Gordon, and great grandchildren, Annabella, Alexzandria, and Gabrielle Gordon, all of White River, VT, and son-in-law James Zell and fiancée (Tabbi Maynard) and grandchildren James, Jacob, and Jaiden Zell, of Manchester, NH. Also survived by sisters Connie Neilsen, of Concord, NH, Pauline (Freeman) Barton of North Springfield, VT, brother Richard (Astrid) Snell, of Lancaster, PA, and sister Patricia Cohen of Myrtle Beach, SC, one aunt, Marilyn Fuller, of Newbury, VT, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, and long-time friend, Donna Gerety, of Springfield, VT. Predeceased by his daughter, Jennifer Zell, on August 29, 2015. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 23, 2019, at Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 243 Hanover St, Manchester, NH 03104, officiated by David Azeltine. Following the service, a small reception will be held at the Bethel Christian Church, 206 Whitehall Road, Hooksett, NH 03106. Interment will be held at a later date at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, in Boscawen, NH. In memory of George (Junior) and his life-long devotion to Bethel camp, should family or friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Green Mountain Bible Camp, P. O. Box 547, West Rutland, VT 05777.