Ed Snider Passes Away At 83
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia has lost its czar of hockey.
Comcast Spectacor chairman and legendary Flyers owner Ed Snider passed away after a two-year battle with cancer, the Flyers announced just two days after clinching a post-season birth. He was 83-years-old.
Snider had been battling cancer, receiving treatment at his California home after a recurrence of cancer. The Flyers visited Snider at his home on New Year's Eve and proceeded to go on an impressive run, which they are hoping will carry them into the postseason.
On Saturday, when the Flyers clinched a playoff birth at home, Lauren Hart faced-timed her rendition of the National Anthem to Snider.
Snider first arrived in Philadelphia in the mid-60's from Washington D.C. and his first taste of the Philadelphia Sports Scene actually came with the Eagles, in the form of a position in the front office and a small stake in the team. But of course he is best known for bringing NHL hockey to Philadelphia and the Flyers were always a passion for Snider, speaking here at the 2013 annual Philadelphia Sportswriters Association Dinner:
"I never imagined the impact the Flyers would have on the community when we started in 1967," he said. "But Philly has been really wonderful to me and I get a great thrill, and a great pleasure giving back to the community."
Watch: Flyers Release 9-Minute Tribute Video For Ed Snider
One big way Snider gave back to the community was founding the the Ed Snider Youth Hockey foundation more than a decade ago. The foundation is dedicated to using ice hockey to connect with inner city kids in Philadelphia. Snider was inducted into the Hockley Hall of Fame in 1988
Snider has been inducted into four Hall Of Fame's in total: Hockey Hall of Fame (1988), Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (1997), Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame (2005), and the United States Hockey Hall of Fame (2011).
Snider was survived by his six children Craig, Jay, Lindy, Tina, Sarena and Samuel, as well as 15 grandchildren and his wife Lin Spivak.
