published Atlantic Highlands Herald 27 January 2006

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS , NJ – James R. “Big Jim” Snyder, age 71, of Atlantic Highlands died Friday, January 27, 2006 at King James Care Center, Middletown.  Born in Oakland, CA, he moved to Staten Island, he then moved to Highlands in 1947.  

Mr. Snyder started Jodi Builders in 1959 which later became Snyder Corporations.  He was the Builder of Great Adventure, Seton Hall, Top of the East, Twin Lights Terrace and Three King James Care Centers of Middletown, Chatham and Somerset. 

He served was Democratic municipal chairman and served as a member of the Council and was Mayor of Atlantic Highlands.  He was instrumental in the reconstruction of the Atlantic Highlands Harbor and Borough Hall.  He started the Atlantic Highlands Pop Warner Football and Junior Olympics.

He is Predeceased by his wife Judy in 1997.

He is survived by:

Daughter:             Jodi Snyder                       Lincroft, NJ

Son:                    James Snyder                    Middletown, NJ

Son:                    Glenn Snyder                    Navesink

Son:                    Kirk Snyder                      Highlands, NJ

Grandchildren:   Lauren,Kendall,Summer, and Nikki Krzan; J.R. and  Kyle Snyder; Salina and Dante Didonno; Glenn, Katie, and Maranda Snyder; and  Kirk Jr Colton and Brittany Snyder.

Funeral Services will be held 10:00 am Monday, January 30 at St. Agnes Church, 103 Center Ave, Atlantic Highlands, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Bob Tynski.

Interment will be in Mt Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.

The family will receive their friends 2-5 pm Sunday at John P. Condon Funeral Home, 804 State Hwy. #36, P.O. Box 354, Leonardo.

A STATEMENT BY ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS MAYOR PETER E. DONOGHUE IN TRIBUTE OF FORMER MAYOR JAMES R. SNYDER, WHO PASSED AWAY ON JAN. 27, 2006

Very few people accomplished as much in such a relatively short public life as former Atlantic Highlands Mayor James R. Snyder, who recently passed away at age 71.

Therefore, it is extremely appropriate that the people of Greater Atlantic Highlands, whether they knew of him or not, celebrate his life with admiration and appreciation for his commitment to the people.

Jimmy Snyder was a highly intelligent, dynamic, forceful and mercurial man who left a major mark on his adopted community.

Jimmy served on the Borough Council from 1966 through 1969 and as mayor in 1970 and 1971. During that time he was the driving force in the opening up of the First Avenue business district, being primarily responsible for the building of a modern Borough Hall and the creation of Veterans Park. And he played a major role in the upgrading of the municipal harbor and creation of the vest-pocket parks system.

As a driving force in the local Democratic organization and its one-time chairman, he inspired scores of local residents -- including myself -- to enter public service ... and to work hard for the betterment of the community.

Along the way he was involved in many civic activities including the founding of the Pop Warner football program and organizing the local Junior Olympics. He was also know as an extremely generous and supportive individual.

In the business world, his firms built scores of apartments, condominiums, schools and nursing homes in the area as well as major construction projects elsewhere. Much of this work enabled him to develop the contacts which worked to the advantage of Atlantic Highlands.

Sadly, a major stroke in the late 1970s cut short his business and government activities but, nonetheless, one can't help but remember and admire his accomplishments ... and be saddened by his passing.