Alvin Daniel Snyder III

Alvin Daniel Snyder III, 87, formerly of Hazleton and Lansdowne, passed away Saturday at Bridge Haven Memory Care, Lawrence, Kan., due to natural causes.

Born in Hazleton, he was the son of the late Alvin D. Jr. and Margaret (O'Malia) Snyder, and was a former member of Holy Annunciation Parish at St. Gabriel's Church, Hazleton.

Alvin would go on to attend Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., and Yale University before leaving for the Philadelphia suburbs in 1969. He worked as a social worker for the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Philadelphia, until retiring in 2004. He was motivated by a desire to help people out. His role at OVR provided vocational support to people with disabilities as they prepared for, obtained or maintained employment.

Alvin enjoyed playing the piano, playing bridge, watching Phillies baseball and taking care of his numerous cats and dogs over the years. He also was an accomplished singer going back to his college days. Alvin would go on to serve as cantor at St. Philomena Church services in Lansdowne during the early 1980s as one of his side projects to pitch in to help the community.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Carol Ann Snyder and Florence Mendall; and his wife, Ann (McNelis) Snyder.

Alvin is survived by his brother, Terrence Snyder, Alexandria, Va.; sons, Rory Snyder, Lansdowne; and Anthony Snyder and wife, Dr. Karen Snyder; and grandchildren, Reese Snyder and Samantha Snyder, Lawrence, Kan.

Alvin's friendly smile, easygoing demeanor and desire to pitch in to help wherever needed will be missed greatly.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Annunciation Parish at St. Gabriel's Church by the Rev. Paul D. McNelis, S.J., brother-in-law of the deceased. Burial will be in St. Gabriel's Cemetery.

Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home, with Tom Boyle assisting, 229 W. 12th St., Hazleton, is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent through www.moranfuneral

home.com.