Brian W. Snyder
Canandaigua – Brian Wilson Snyder, age 59, passed away on Monday, April 27, 2026, with his loving family by his side, following a valiant fight with cancer.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Kimberley Snyder of Canandaigua; two daughters, Gwendolyn (Jordan) Durci of Pittsburgh, PA, and Danielle (Christopher) Heist of Buckhannon, WV; brother, Mark Snyder of Fairport, NY; sister, Debra Fusco of Schenectady; sister, Jennifer Capasso of Scotia, NY; father and mother-in-law, Bruce and Bonnie Griswold of Morrisville, VT; brother and sister-in-law, Kevin and Lynn Griswold of Williston, VT; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Sandra Griesbeck.
Born on January 27, 1967, to Richard and Ida (Fischer) Snyder in Amsterdam, NY, Brian was the youngest of five children. He grew up in nearby Mariaville, NY, graduating from Schalmont High School in Schenectady.
Brian went on to major in mechanical engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where he pledged Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and earned the nickname “Haybale” after a feat of strength that resulted from years of baling hay with his dad. RIT was also where Brian met his future wife, Kimberley. The couple dated briefly and reconnected after college, marrying a few years later in Essex, VT, and eventually settling in Canandaigua to raise their family.
With his degree in mechanical engineering, his natural aptitude for computer programming, and his experience with process controls during his first two jobs out of college, Brian was able to start his own business, Cheshire Controls, Inc. He successfully ran the business from his home for nearly 25 years, traveling around the world and garnering a reputation for quality process controls developed with integrity and excellence.
Despite his demanding career, Brian was known to friends and family as the first person who would come to their aid for anything, anytime, with no questions asked. He was a true friend to many and was loved not only for his selfless nature but for his great sense of humor and infectious laugh.
Standing at 6’5”, Brian was a mountain of a man, not only in stature but in personality. He had a way of making everyone around him feel safe, especially his family. He gave the best hugs and, when the girls were little, would wear a bright shirt whenever the family went to a crowded place so they could always see their “compass.” He enjoyed a good beer and wings with friends and would jokingly say he knew a “wealth of useless information.” In truth, he knew a great deal about many things and could recite a quote from a movie he saw decades earlier or tell you the entire plot of a book he’d read ages ago.
In addition to spending time with family and friends, Brian enjoyed woodworking, hunting, making maple syrup each spring, completing DIY projects with Kim, hiking, and simply spending time in nature. He also loved teaching his daughters and anyone else the skills he had garnered throughout his life. He adored his dog, Cassie, and taught her a myriad of tricks, which he loved to show company.
Although he never tried his hand at plumbing, Brian was a “Mr. Fix It” when it came to anything else. Just recently, when his eldest daughter asked if a window in her new home could be made larger, he flashed a smile and replied, “Anything can be done...but I might need to buy another tool.”
Brian loved being a mentor to the Tan[X] robotics team at Canandaigua Academy, working with the students and cheering them on at competitions for 13 years. He was a longtime blood donor, too; it was one way he felt he could show his deep gratitude for the donated blood that saved his youngest daughter’s life when she underwent heart surgery as a baby.
Most of all, Brian loved his daughters completely. He was immensely proud of them and thrilled they each found partners who make them so happy.
His celebration of life will be held Saturday, May 23, from 1-4 PM, at King’s Catering, 4031 Rte’s 5&20, Canandaigua. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charity of Rochester, 333 Westmoreland Dr., Rochester, NY 14620 (online at rmhcrochester.org), or another charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc., Canandaigua. Condolences may be offered at www.johnsonkennedy.com.