PORTLAND — Philip B. Snyder, 77, died on Nov. 18, at the Inn at Village Square in Gorham after a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Born on June 2, 1934, Snyder was a son of Vernon B. and Gladys M. Jellison Snyder of Gouldsboro. On Jan. 24, 1954, he married Donna L. Dorr and they moved to Portland where they raised five children.

In 1969, he began Phil Snyder’s Oil Burner Service, where he took much pride in maintaining more than 20,000 heating systems in the greater Portland area, especially the ancient steam boilers of Munjoy Hill. His son Philip joined the business in 1995 to form Snyder’s Plumbing & Heating, and they worked side-by-side until he retired in 2010.

His family and friends will remember him as a man of few words who had a kind heart when it came to his long-time customers who sometimes needed help at all hours of the night or on holidays.

Snyder loved his family, gardening, cooking, country and bluegrass music, racing at Beechridge Speedway, his work, and his customers.

His wife of 55 years, Donna, died on Nov. 21, 2009. He was also predeceased by his parents and his siblings, Richard and Jessie Snyder.

He is survived by his children, Tim Snyder of Saco, Steve Snyder and his wife Ruth of Buxton, Deirdre Lorfano and her husband David of Harrison, Darlene Chapman and her husband Alan of Gray, and Philip L. Snyder and his wife Alise of Standish; sister Alice Snyder of Gouldsboro; 16 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren.
 
Visiting hours were held on Nov. 22 at Blais and Hay Funeral Home, 35 Church St., Westbrook, followed by a funeral on Nov. 23. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Philip B. Snyder Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Philip L. Snyder, P.O. Box 665, Gorham, ME 04038.

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