Eugene M. Snow

Waltham – Gene Snow was always a glass is half-full kind of a guy . . . an eternal optimist who had a smile that would . . . as the cliché goes . . . light up a room. In his case it was true.

And around the Fourth of July Gene could also light up his neighborhood with a first class display of fireworks that delighted his family and his friends.

He will be remembered as a man who was never afraid to work long hard hours with his hands and his mind to build a successful company and a wonderful life for his family. His wife, Beverly, and their kids and their grand-kids were the center of his world.

And when the diabetes that afflicted him for years finally took its toll it was Beverly and his family and his friends who stood by him. Gene was 76 when he died at his Waltham home on Tuesday, August 9th, 2016 and when he left he knew at least three things . . . that he was loved and wanted and needed.

Eugene M. Snow was born in Lowell on February 24, 1940, a son of the late Eugene R. and Margaret T. (Redmond) Snow and moved with his family to Waltham when he was ten. He graduated from Waltham High School in 1957 and a couple years later married the love of his life, Beverly B. Holl. They remained lifelong residents of the city.

As a young man Gene started up a landscaping business long before people had landscapers and built it into a very successful operation. He met other entrepreneurial spirits and gained a lifetime of wisdom and knowledge and experience long before his hair turned gray.

With a fearless determination he began another Waltham business fifty years ago, E.M. Snow 'The Siding Company', and again created a market where none existed before with great success.

When he wasn't working hard Gene found time to play hard too . . . ever the consummate host and entertainer he loved spending time with those he loved and cared about. Sometimes in Waltham and sometimes at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.

Boating was one of his favorite pursuits . . . he enjoyed golf and skiing, on the water, and in the winter, on the ski slopes . . . he took up tennis where he enjoyed batting the ball around and from where he would launch his rockets on the Fourth. He held season tickets to the Patriots, even in the lean years, and was equally loyal to the Red Sox.

His wit and his wisdom will long be remembered by those who knew him best. He'll also be remembered for being warm, loving, kind and generous to family, friends and strangers. Gene never said no to a worthy cause.

In addition to his wife, Beverly, he leaves his children, Debra J. Snow and her husband, Steven Clasby, of Waltham, Douglas E. Snow and his wife, Elizabeth, of Wayland and Karen L. Penta and her husband, Joseph, of Waltham; his grandchildren, Kevin R. Snow, Melissa Harvey and her husband, Brian, Amanda Snow, Eric Snow, Lauren Penta and Matthew Penta and his sister, Marguerite Dion of Chelmsford.

Family and friends will honor and remember Gene's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, August 15th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Tuesday morning when his funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.