Obit for Andy Snaddon

Daughter offers tribute to former Journal editor
The Edmonton Journal
Tue Mar 19 1991
Page: B3
Byline: DAVID STAPLES Journal Staff Writer
Dateline: Edmonton
Source: THE EDMONTON JOURNAL

Edmonton

"Andy Snaddon was a newspaperman through and through."

This fitting epitaph for former Edmonton Journal editor Andrew Snaddon comes from the first line of his daughter Elizabeth's tribute to him.

More than 200 of Snaddon's friends, colleagues and family heard Elizabeth's tribute at a memorial service Monday at St. George's Anglican Church.

"Andy loved the ins and outs of politics and was often called on for his expertise on Western Canada," Elizabeth wrote.

"He never lost the curiosity that is vital to a good reporter.

Snaddon, 69, died Thursday morning at Mewburn Veterans Centre.

His career had spanned five decades, and included a stint as Southam News bureau chief in London, England.

From 1981 to 1986, he was publisher of the Medicine Hat News.

At the memorial service were Mr. Snaddon's wife Jocelyn, daughters Jane and Elizabeth, Alberta's deputy premier Jim Horsman, Southam Newspaper Group president Russ Mills, former Journal writers Art Evans and Don Fleming, Journal publisher Don Babick, former publisher Bill Newbigging, Alberta Appeal Court Justice Jean Cote, and Linda Hughes, who holds the editor's job Mr. Snaddon held at The Journal from 1967-81.

Mr. Snaddon's friends and family were singled out for praise.

In 1986, Mr. Snaddon had a stroke, which put him in a wheelchair.

Even then, he loved to swap stories and argue politics, Elizabeth wrote.

"It was a long haul but he fought his illness every step of the way. Andy was able to do that because of the family and friends who visited, took him on outings, phoned and wrote letters.

"Sometimes people lose their good intentions after the first few months, but Andy had a great number of regular visitors who helped him pass the time and kept his mind active.

"Jocelyn, Jane and Elizabeth and their families would like to thank all of you."

In another tribute, Rev. David Guthrie said Mr. Snaddon was greatly comforted in his illness by his family.

"This was the greatest symbol for Andy of God's love for him," Guthrie said.

To end the service, bagpipe player John Findlay played Amazing Grace.