Snyder, Dan (1978-2003)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Nov 3 p. 1, 2

Birth date: 1978

text of obituary:

Family forgives after hockey player's death

By Mennonite Weekly Review staff

ELMIRA, Ont. — The tragic death of a hockey hero has become a testimony to the power of forgiveness.

Dan Snyder, 25, a Mennonite who played for the Atlanta Thrashers of the national Hockey league, died Oct. 5 of injuries suffered in a car accident in Atlanta on Sept. 29.

Snyder was a passenger in a black Ferrari driven by teammate Dany Heatley, 22, who lost control of the car at an estimated 80 mph, police said. Snyder's skull was fractured, and he spent six days in a coma before he died.

Heatley, who suffered a broken jaw, a bruised lung and torn knee ligaments, has been charged with a felony count of vehicular homicide, for which he could face prison.

But after the funeral, attended by 1,300 people Oct 10 at Elmira Mennonite Church, Snyder's father embraced Heatley and offered assurance of the family's forgiveness.

"We are all human beings, and we know that humans make mistakes," Graham Snyder said in a statement after the service. "We want you to know that we do not lay blame on Dany Heatley for the accident that took our son from us. . . .

"There is nothing to gain from harboring resentment or anger toward others. . . . Forgiveness is also part of being human."

Media covering the story noted the family's compassion.

"Maybe it is the offspring of their Mennonite faith, choosing the path of caring over condemnation," wrote New York Times columnist Selena Roberts.

"Whatever the root of the Snyder family's compassion, their response to the loss of their son may save the rest of Heatley's life — emotionally, competitively and legally."

Toronto Star columnist Rosie Dimanno called the Snyders' embrace of Heatley"an act of such gracious and merciful forgiveness that it must surely hush the blame-seekers, the harsh scolders, all those who would invest Snyder's death with crippling bitterness."

Dale Bauman, a former Elmira pastor, said in a meditation at the funeral: "God made us eternal, not invincible."

Of the urge to assign blame, Bauman said: "Pointing a finger never brings healing."

The entire Thrashers team, who had dedicated to Snyder their season-opening victory in Atlanta the night before, attended the funeral.

"I never thought I'd be burying one of my players," Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said. "This is certainly the hardest thing I've ever done."

Snyder had gained her's status in Elmira, a town of 7,000 about 70 miles west of Toronto, where he grew up attending Elmira Mennonite Church.

His grandfather, Joe Snyder, was a former moderator of the Mennonite Conference of Ontario and Quebec, now part of Mennonite Church Eastern Canada.

"Dan Snyder was so interested in his roots that his grandfather put together an informational pamphlet for him," reporter Jeff Schultz wrote in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"Pacifism is one trait of Mennonites," Graham Snyder said, smiling. "I guess you wouldn't know that by watching Dan play hockey."

Snyder was called up to the Atlanta team last year after several minor-league seasons. He was twice a humanitarian award nominee in the Ontario Hockey League.

At the funeral, Snyder's agent, Todd Reynolds, read a letter written i 1999 from a fan at Owen Sound, Snyder's junior team, that praised the player's leadership and kindness to the fan's son.

In addition to the Atlanta players and management, attending the funeral were NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Toronto Maple leafs players.

About 650 people packed the church building. Hundreds more watched on closed-circuit television at a nearby nursing home or listened outside in the warm autumn sun.

As family members and the Atlanta players walked three blocks from the Snyders' home to the church, dozens of young hockey players from Elmira and the surrounding area tapped their sticks on the street in tribute.

It was a sound, wrote Roberts, the New York Times columnist, "every ounce as reverential as the lonely howl of a bugle."

"It was heartwarming," Graham Snyder said. "Having been involved in hockey all my life, I had a true understanding of what that meant."

Snyder is survived by his parents, Graham and LuAnn; a brother, Jeremy (Jake); and a sister Erika.

"Everywhere he went, he was well-liked," Jake Snyder said of his brother. "I realized as a brother that he was a special person, but now you see how many other people knew it, too."

From reports in the Canadian Mennonite, New York times, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Toronto Star.