Edward Snow

The remarkable Edward Donald Snow, accomplished architect, unofficial historian, Winthrop enthusiast, avid reader, and memorable storyteller, passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 22, 2024, just three months shy of his 89th birthday. Born November 15, 1935, in Boston, Massachusetts, and a native of Winthrop, Edward was the only child of Donald Burnham Snow and Eunice Toothaker. Raised in the house at 59 Cottage Avenue, Edward was able to spend a lot of time with his three uncles (Nicholas Hopkins Snow, Winthrop James Snow, Edward Rowe Snow), and other family members. I always thought that Edward looked just like his uncle Edward Rowe Snow, an American writer and historian who authored around 100 books. Edward Rowe Snow was also known for carrying on the tradition of the "Flying Santa" for over forty years (1936–1980). Edward’s lineage traces back to the first settlers in Plymouth, Massachusetts (Nicholas and Constance Hopkins Snow).

Edward Donald Snow, always known to be intelligent and funny, attended and graduated from Winthrop Senior High School (1949 – 1953) and went on to study architecture at Boston Architectural College (1962 – 1967), becoming a well-known architect eventually starting his own business, Edward D Snow Architecture Service in Winthrop. Always sharing the histories of buildings and architecture in and around the Boston Winthrop area, with those that were curious and with others that were not, as was most often the case. Edward had an amazing memory recall, providing many details for structures he designed, stories about business colleagues, and conversations with people he knew, and he was always sharing his thoughts and remembrances with friends and family members. Even after retirement, Edward kept up with architectural trends by immersing himself in online architectural news and journals, and also by reading “many” “many” “many” “many” and I mean “many”….magazines like Architectural Record.

As hard as it may seem, Edward found something he loved more than architecture when he met and married the love of his life, Mrs. Judith J. Packard, at St. Barnabas Episcopalian Church, East Middlebury, Vermont on July 25, 1964. Amazingly, their first meeting wasn’t love at first sight as she slammed the front door in his face (Edward and Judith told me this story many times and laughed about it), but I am happy to tell you that they just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. The best way that I could describe it is that the architect and teacher were meant to be together as best friends and soulmates. This union gave them two beautiful daughters: Sophia Snow and Hester Elizabeth Snow (May 26, 1969, Boston, Massachusetts – June 14, 2001, London, England). Hester was taken too young and missed every day since. Edward and Judith leaned on each other during this difficult time as their love was tested by trials and tribulations; somehow always finding strength and comfort within each other.

Over the years, Edward and Judith lived in many places around Boston, but they always came back to 59 Cottage Avenue; this is the last place they lived together. In March 2022, the house was condemned by the city, sold at auction, their worldly possessions were lost, and they were robbed of memories by Judith's dementia, but Edward and Judith kept the most precious thing of all, which was their love for each other. When you think of Edward Donald Snow, remember two things; 1. Edward loved with his whole heart, laughed and smiled when telling stories because this brought him great joy. and 2. The love that Edward and Judith shared was remarkable like him, never wavering and always at the forefront.

There will be a remembrance gathering on 4 September 2024 from 5-7 pm at Buonfiglio Funeral Home in Revere, Massachusetts. Please join us to celebrate the life of Edward Donald Snow as he was truly a special person.