Philadelphia Flyers' Founder, Owner and Chairman Ed Snider Passes Away

Apr. 12, 2016

Early yesterday morning, Philadelphia Flyers' Founder, Owner and Chairman, Ed Snider passed away ending his two year battle with cancer. This comes two days after the Flyers clinched a playoff spot against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Unfortunately Snider wasn't at the game as he was in California. During the God Bless America, longtime anesthetist, Lauren Hart FaceTimed Ed Snider so he could hear her sing. Little did we know it would be for the very last time. Just typing this I'm getting teary eyed! Snider brought hockey to the city of Philadelphia in 1967 and he's been the Owner/Chairman ever since. Click here to read and listen to what Lauren Hart had to say about her Facetime with Snider. Very heartwarming!

Ed Snider's Children issued a Statement about the passing of their Father:

From the Philadelphia Flyers Website:

From April 1985: Jay (Left), Lindy (Middle) and Ed Snider (Right)

“We are deeply saddened to announce that our father, Ed Snider has died after a two year battle with cancer. He was 83.

Our Dad was loved and admired for his big heart, generosity of spirit, and dedication to his family. Despite his considerable business achievements and public profile, he was first and foremost a family man. He never missed a birthday, important family event or the opportunity to offer encouragement. We turned first to him for advice in our personal and professional lives. We grew up tagging behind him in arenas, stadiums and locker rooms; and his players, management and team personnel were our extended family. He treated his employees with respect regardless of rank or position, and the man they called “Mr. Snider” always would have preferred simply to be called “Ed.”

From him we learned the importance of helping others and the value of supporting our community and beyond. He was a man with deep convictions and never hesitated to promote causes in which he believed. His children and grandchildren will continue his philanthropic mission for years to come through the work of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation (Snider Hockey) and the Snider Foundation. Revered in his adopted city of Philadelphia, we too were captive in the orbit of his brilliant light and magnetic personality.

During his lifetime, he cultivated a cherished circle of friends whom he loved dearly--and who loved him back--whether in Washington, DC, Monmouth, Maine, Philadelphia or Montecito, California. Unrivaled, however, was his love for the Philadelphia Flyers Hockey Club, the team he created 50 years ago and to which he remained fiercely devoted through his final days. With every game during the push to make the playoffs this spring we hoped he would survive to see the Flyers win just one more game. He gave the last ounce of his indomitable energy and strength to live through this hockey season, but now the Flyers must win without him.

He fought his last years, months and days with courage and grace and recounted his love for many including his Flyers family and fans. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from the community, his friends and all those who were fortunate to have been touched by him in some way, large or small.”

He was the longest tender Owner in this city out of the four major sports teams. He loved the Flyers with a passion, he loved the fans and he loved the city of Philadelphia. Every single year Snider wanted to win badly, all he wanted was to being the cup back to Philly. He was truly the most passionate and best owner that this city as ever seen. Even through he only won two cups, in back to back seasons in 1974/75 and 1975/76, he was still one of the greatest Owners, if not the greatest in Philadelphia sports history. Snider owned the Philadelphia 76ers for 15 years from 1996 to July, 2011. He has six children, Jay, Craig, Tina, Sarena and Samuel. In 1988, Snider was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and in 2005, he was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. He will be surely missed by everybody in Philadelphia.

I will be posting tweet reactions from around the sports world including several Flyers and audio from interviews from 97.5 the Fanatic in another article later on today.