Obituary of Martin Lenard Snoey

Martin L. Snoey Martin L. Snoey, 92, passed away peacefully at his home on March 17, 2010. He was born to immigrant parents from Holland in Metaline Falls, WA on June 18, 1917. As a young adult in the 1940's, he moved to Camas, WA and worked in the local feed store. It was there that he met and married Alice Grace Blake. They purchased some land, built a house, and raised their three sons. During WW II, Martin joined the Army and after his discharge went to work for Crown Zellerbach Paper Mill in Camas where he worked for 35.5 years. After his retirement from the mill, Martin, who was always known as a hard worker, worked with his son, Roger, for eight years building houses in Clark County. Hunting and fishing were high on his list of activities. He was an accomplished salmon fisherman who spent many enjoyable days fishing from his boat in Illwaco. Also, he was a regular fixture on the banks of the Columbia River sturgeon fishing. Martin loved baseball and helped to get youth baseball started in the area and then gave his time coaching his sons. Martin's greatest enjoyment came from working in his yard. He turned the land into a park like setting and had a huge garden. He loved sharing his extra produce and flowers with family, friends, and neighbors. He affectionately named his property "Sweat Acres." Martin L. was preceded in death by his wife Grace of 63 years in 2005. He is survived by his sons Martin R. Barbara, Arthur Betsie, Roger Barbara, 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. A celebration of Martin's life by family and friends will be held in the Quayside-Portside Room at the Inn at the Quay in Vancouver on April 24, 2010 from 1 to 4pm. Martin was cremated with arrangements by Straub's Funeral Home and will be interred at Camas Cemetery next to Grace. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society would be appreciated. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.