Steve Snover


	I know I am no different in feeling broken up about Steve's death. Still I developed a certain kinship with him over the past seven months that I hoped would last longer than this. My diagnosis of testicular cancer came two days before Steve's diagnosis of colon cancer, and my thoughts have dwelt upon him and his family every day since. We even spent a day in the chemo room together, the two of us hooked up to drugs we hoped were doing everything they could. After watching my own family have to struggle with me even when the odds seemed favorable, I can only imagine the shock for Tina and Ian. The world will have a different appearance without Steve. It will be neither as gentle, as funny, nor as fast, even though I know he left a little of all of that in the rest of us. I am still not quite done crying for him and those he leaves behind, but his courage in the face of long odds has left an indelible mark on me. I cannot say enough about this man who helped running stay alive in Western Massachusetts. I only hope that Tina and Ian can, as time passes, take from their time with husband and father fortifying memories as they begin to create a new world around them. We will all miss him, and the hole in us now will somehow become only a scar on vibrant, healthy skin.
	Chris Gould
	"You should head over to Westfield....there's a pretty good runner over there...". That's how it started for me about 25 years ago. On November 10, 2003 it ended, sadly, for all of us. But in between...... I remember the races...first the junior championships in Utica and Glens Falls; later the national cross country (Steve's best sport) championships in Raleigh, North Carolina (by car), Burbank, California (the Johnny Carson Show and the Hotel California), San Francisco, Buffalo, and Boston. I remember the New England road races, in towns and cities from New Bedford to Manchester from Bolyston to Cape Ann. And track meets, indoor and outdoor, Dartmouth to Harvard. I remember the results...the 30K victories, the Paper Chase crowns, the near miss at the Boston Marathon, the course record on the Summer Sizzler cross country course (still held by Steve after 17 years). I remember Steve was a real runner, one who loved to compete. He was also passionate about the sport in which he was so gifted. One of the few people I've ever met who actually read Track & Field News ....and enjoyed doing so. He knew all the names and times and places. I suspect that passion for his sport is one reason why so many runners felt a special bond with Steve, as evidenced by the messages on this board. Eventually it led him to fulfill his dream of owning a running store. I remember Steve mostly through our sport, but there were occasional glimpses into the other aspects of his life. I remember his wedding to Tina, what a happy occasion it was. I remember seeing him with Ian at the indoor meets at Smith, the devotion and closeness between the two was obvious and touching. I remember visiting him at Liquors 44 where he would expound upon all the mundane elements of running a business with such a contagious enthusiasm that you felt that you, too, knew the characters involved, the troublesome salesmen and the eccentric employees. Steve was not a spectator in life, whether with his family or his running, his business or his ideas on everything from social issues to music. I'm going to miss him. There will be a memorial service for Steve tomorrow, November 22, at the Douglass Funeral Home in Amherst. God willing, I will be there. To grieve, sure. To offer condolences, certainly. But also to remember, and to celebrate a life well lived, a life shared by us all.
	Pete Stasz
	I'm guessing that it was the winter of 85/86. When new to Western MA, I ran a Snow Storm Classic at which Steve was volunteering. We met after the race and I was invited to run with him from his parent's house in Westfield. We continued to run together periodically until his family moved to Canandaigua, NY. We shared an apartment for the next year or more. Our lives went in separate directions when Steve took the Liquors 44 job. Our paths only crossed about three times in the last ten or so years. Our schedules didn't often allow it, but I also shared some memorable runs with Steve; including a track workout at Mt. Holyoke College with Steve, Randi Thomas, et al; and a speed workout at one of his regular locations, the cemetery near Springfield College. But there was one particular run which comes back to me numerous times every winter when I see footprints in the snow. I invited Steve on a long run one day but he was on the way back from a layoff. Of course, I had it in the back of my mind to put a little hurt on Steve while he was down in retribution for all the damage he had inflicted on me during our runs together. So of course I blasted from the door in typical Steve Snover fashion, like a rocket. Steve struggled early on. I was relentless. Then came the hills. I was content to maintain the effort, Steve, the pace. The shoe was now on the other foot! Finally, I gasped, "Steve, this pace is a little tough." "You set it," he said. At this point it was starting to snow and visibility was poor. Steve maintained the pace to the end of the run. I eventually lost sight of him, but not his footprints in the snow. I decided to try and match strides with him. I couldn't do it without leaping from one footprint to the next. Steve, you have now left some large footprints for the rest of us to try and follow........
	John Matthews
	What can you say....I'm still stunned, saddened. It's been on my mind since I heard the news from Pete Monday. Good times, fond memories, way way too many to post here. Hard runs (six min pace @6AM is no lie) with Celio, Gary, Ed Ward, maybe even Pete, when he used to be good...I would get anxious..like...prerace nervous before those runs. My mother said to me after one of those runs "You guys look a mess, Steve looks like he didn't even run" He made me a better runner, that's for sure. Steve was just fun to be with. He was always upbeat, and positive.....Steve was just a good person. That's why he had so many friends. My heart and prayers go out to his family. I'll miss you.
	Mike Kelleher
	Steve is one of the greatest people I have ever known. I always felt like he was my "big brother", he offered advice, support, but most of all he made an honest effort to understand. Steve was a friend in the truest sense. But, he wasn't just a friend, he was a tough, gutsy runner/training partner/coach. Last year Steve ran one of the fastest times ever run on the Mt. Toby 14 mile course. Imagine, a man in his 40s beating all of the youngsters in a grueling trail race.... Now, a man in his 40s with cancer doing it. Steve loved running and he had fun doing it. Whether it was an 8am run through the hills of Amherst or a beer after work he was always ready to have fun. We always had fun. Last April 13 (Steve's Birthday) I ran with Steve for the final time at Mt. Tom. I think it was his last true "run". I'm glad to have shared that with him.
	Eric Lavigne
	For a year almost every Saturday morning I would head up to Northampton and before I started work at The Runner' Shop I would get dragged out the door with Eric Lavigne and Steve Snover. They would run me into the ground over the course of 10-15 miles. I was just recently telling a friend about how much fun I had working for and hanging out with Steve. Steve you were a great boss, great runner, but even a better man.
	Mike Gauvin
	Those were some fun runs on Saturday mornings when I was actually able to make it. his passion for running was awesome. you could always count on him for some good conversations but also for even better jokes while pounding the miles. those were some of the best training runs i ever had. it shows you how fragile when this happens to somebody with so much energy and zest for life. he will can never be replaced and surely will never be forgotten.
	Marty Owens
	I never got to know Steve Snover. Did hear a lot about him and it was all good things. Goodbye Steve, you will be missed on the running circuit
	Brian Goddu
	I first met Steve in 1977 when we were teammates on the Westfield High school cross country team. I remember watching him in 1984 at the Boston marathon as he tried to qualify for the Olympic trials. He missed but not by very much, I think he ran a 2:24 and qualifying time was 2:22-I could be wrong on the times but I know he ran in the low 2:20's and barely missed the standard. After the race, he still had enough energy to change Pete's flat tire in Mike Kelleher's driveway-I think because Pete didn't know how to. Steve was also one of the smartest people I knew-when we used to play Trivial Pursuits back in those days, you couldn't beat him-he knew every answer to every question. I visited Steve in the hospital this summer after he had had some surgery and as Bob and I were leaving, Steve walked into the hallway with us, attached to his IV, and hit his stopwatch-he was timing his laps around the hospital corridors and trying to take time off every night. He was a true runner to the very end. He will really be missed.
	Nicole McGilpin
	I have just heard the tragic news of Steve's passing tonight. I have known Steve for 26 years, not only was he one of the great runners to ever lace up his running shoes in the area but he was truly a great person who would be willing to help anyone out who was in need. I will miss you Steve, you were truly a class act.
	Dennis LaBranche
	Steve was a great man. He was always willing to help you out when you needed it! As a training partner there was none better, but you had better been ready to hit the ground at 6 minute pace- even at 6 in the morning.
	Brent Coon
	Back before there were Snowstorm Classics in the winter of 77/78 my Dad drove me to Westfield to run in the Greater Springfield Harriers "fun run", which was really a race. Although I finished 2nd, I was several minutes behind the winner, Steve Snover. This would become a very familiar pattern. After I got to know Steve he invited me over to his house to go for a run. We did a 10 mile training run in hilly Westfield in 60:00! I told him that if I was going to train with him it would have to be once a week as my tempo run. For Steve it was just another daily run! He was unbelievable! Through the years as teammates and friends we developed a mutual respect. We kind of lost touch with each other, but whenever I would run into Steve, be it the SMAC track meet where he brought his son Ian to be introduced to running or at his store, The Runner's Shop, he was always friendly and willing to spend time chatting. You don't often see that in elite runners or busy business people for that matter. I will miss Steve for as good a runner as he was, he was a better person.
	Gary Crowley
	I heard from someone a long time ago, "....for some, all you need to do is meet a person once and you understand the individual." I believe Steve Snover was one of those people. I didn't know him well, but what I did know of him was enough. He was an amzing runner and an even better man. He had a passion for life I am truly very sorry for the loss of this wonderful man. My condolences go out to Steve family. Words can not express the loss of a loved individual, they almost never do. My prayers go out to the ones who loved and cared for Steve. Please let us know when and where the service is so we can give our respects to "The Man".
	Joe Fois
	Steve came in second place (30:45) in Springfield’s Great Paper Chase 10k of 1983. That was the first ‘big’ race I ever ran. He placed second again in 1984, finishing in 30:26. He came back in '85 to take first place in 30:20. I remember Steve for his strength and perseverance as was evident in the way he trained and raced, and the way he lived his life. That ‘s a picture of Steve running in last year’s Bridge of Flowers 10k. He finished in 35:14. Second place master, 14th over all. Way to go Steve!
	Bill Romito
	When we went to the National Cross Country Championships in California Steve was on the team with me. We stayed in the same hotel with rooms on the same floor. I did not know, but Steve snuck into my room one night and took my camera. He then proceeded to take pictures of himself in muscle-man poses. If you have seen Steve you know this would be pretty funny. He then snuck back in my room and put the camera back. When I got home, and got the film developed I had nearly 24 pictures of Steve in various muscle-man poses. It was just an example of Steve's great sense of humor!!!! I will definitely miss him.
	Carol L'Esperance
	To Tina and Ian - your husband, Tina....your father, Ian....was indeed a great man in every sense of the word. Steve's class, his dignity, his wit, his healthy drive and spirit are attributes anyone would be proud to own. He had them in spades. He will be missed by all. I have thought of Steve much this week. And his passing is another reminder "not to sweat the small stuff" but love the gift of life every day and ring it dry daily with all you've got. Steve, you were a class act. Rest in peace.
	Dave Reinhart
	Many of us here in Eastern Massachusetts are saddened to hear of Steve this week. I was fortunate enough to have known and competed with Steve in the mid 1980s. He certainly had a way of bringing out the best in people. I owe several PRs to Steve. One in particular I always remember, when he coerced me into running a race I didn’t feel ready to. I remember Steve telling me how he thought I was in great shape and was ready for a big one. He convinced me to stay on his backside and he’d pull me through. We raced together for 3.5 of the 5 miles and I ended up setting a huge PR for myself at the time - wouldn‘t have come close if he didn‘t install that confidence and do most of the work for me. Whenever we raced, it was a sure bet the race would go fast. Though I haven’t crossed paths with him in years, I was always excited to see his name in some race results. Steve was an icon of the Western Massachusetts running community. Countless runners are vastly better for have known Steve and for having received just a little tidbit of his knowledge. And I know many of you are vastly better for being on the receiving end of one of his famous training runs. Godspeed Steve, our prayers are with you and your family.
	Jeff Staab Assistant Coach Boston Athletic Association
	I am at a loss to express my sadness for Tina and Ian, losing your partner and dad at such an early age is unimaginable. I will forever remember the sense of camaraderie I felt running with Steve, Brian Pickel, and my brother Ted, as we regularly ran together a few years ago. We ran at 9:00 p.m. one night a week so Steve could spend time with Ian before he went to bed. The runs were filled with pain (mostly mine), laughter (all at Steve’s jokes) and the stories of each other’s families. As these testimonials show, he will be missed, but certainly not forgotten.
	Don Towse
	Just read of the passing of a great man, a great runner! I have to say I am in a bit of shock. My wife and I had a baby girl this past year and time somehow fly's on past ya, and then you realize It has been some time since seeing him at the store and chatting away about running and coaching. I would drive over from the Berkshire hills to say hi and get some help with my own running. Steve helped me search and come to an understanding with my own running that no one else could and I am sad to say I never got to say thank you. He will be in my heart, and in my legs on all of my runs this coming year.
	Fran Ireland
	Though I hoped and prayed for Steve's recovery, this dreadful day did arrive. My thoughts go out to Steve's wife and son, and know that words never adequately express the feelings I have. Steve was an extremely humble and generous individual. It was always a pleasure to stop in to the Runners' Shop (whether I was going to purchase or not) to talk with Steve. He shared his insight about running and competition easily and had lots of anecdotes to share. My lasting image of Steve is at the 2002 Mt. Toby trail run (which I believe he won) pounding back down the trail, while I was still struggling up it and he was able to offer me encouragement! A quality person for sure. He will be missed.... In Peace
	Jim Plaza
	I first met Steve while doing training runs around Community Gardens around 1989. I've still never seen anyone train as fast as Steve did back in those days. A decade later, I would use any excuse to stop in the Runner's Shop and shoot the breeze with the staff. Conversation with Steve was always memorable, often because of his sense of humor. For my training for the last 2 Boston Marathons, Steve frequently had good advice. The best advice he gave was on nutrition. "Stick with the 'toes' diet, it has worked well for me in the past." He said. "'Toes' diet, what's that?" I asked. Steve replied, "Cheetos, fritos, and doritos. These are essential for good running." Sitting in the medical tent at mile 18 at Boston '03, probably quite hyponatremic, I wondered if I should have followed his sage advice. I'll always think of Steve when I go into the Runner's Shop. -
	Win Whitcomb
	Steve Snover is a name synonymous with running and I never became a runner until I ran Summmer Sizzler on July 9'th of this year . That started it for me and then I read of all Steve records and I wondered what happen to him. Unfortunately now I know. Seems we have lost a Great person ,father , husband and friend to many . I wish it weren't true that he is gone. But I do believe his spirit will live on forever in western mass. My best regards to his wife, son and friends. I'm sure that there will be an annual race somewhere in the area for Steve and it should be an annual event and something that was maybe special to him.
	John Dent
	I was shocked to hear of Steve's passing.. I ran with him at Westfield High in 1976/77 and was amazed at his capabilities. He always had a positive attitude and helped anyone who asked. Several people who ran with us mentioned him in the past years. One of them informed me of his fight with cancer a couple of years ago. I dug up my old news clippings of our cross country races and the times we all ran. It seems like only yesterday that he would smile and say "Well get them next year, just practice more and run faster...!". I will miss Steve...
	Rick Ladendecker
	I first met Steve at Liquors 44 in Hadley. He was the manager and I was his Coca-Cola sales rep. He was always brief and to the point, zooming around attending to 100 different things (often stressed). Sometimes his quick and witty comments reminded me of Seinfeld. He often had a piece of fruit on his desk and one day shared with me that he would not be in because he was running the Boston Marathon. This was before I took up running so I did not have full appreciation for the sport and he did not elaborate because I wasn't a runner. I was his representative for about 4 years then one day he told me he was leaving because he bought a business in Northampton called The Runner's Shop. He had the biggest smile on his face. A couple years later I took up running and found myself shopping in his store. He looked pleasantly surprised that I had taken up running and was very helpful in my "newbie" purchase. He was working and he was actually enjoying it! Buying The Runner's Shop was one of the best things he ever did for himself and I'm glad he had the opportunity to pursue his dream. He will be sadly missed.
	Anon
	Steve Snover was one of the greatest runners I've ever been acquainted with. He motivated everyone around him with his attitude, caring personality, and work ethic. I will miss talking with Steve about running and watching him perform. It was an inspiration to see a man in his 40's hammering away at the front of the pack. Steve was a running icon and he will be greatly missed. My sympathy goes out to his wife and son.
	Tom Bousquet
	While I can hardly say that I knew Steve very well, I'm shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. He was one of those people that I ran into from time to time during my sporadic six years of living in the Valley -- at a race, the Runner's Shop, or a local restaurant. Nonetheless, he was one of those rare people that made even a casual conversation special. He was a good man: positive, kind, genuine, sincere... Such a sad loss. My condolences to his family.
	Ryan
	Steve was a great man, a great father, a great husband and a great friend to all. I remember the day I met Steve for the first time, formally, about eleven years ago after seeing him well in front of me at a few local races. He was the best in the area and I was just entertaining the idea of becoming competitive again. I was with Ed Parrot, Chris Farmer, a Cullinane from the Cape, and another runner I can't recall, maybe Ted Towse. We waited outside his Riverside Road apartment for a run to West Hatfield and back. I was by far the most out of shape of the bunch but managed to stay with most of the guys for the run. We teased Steve for being late and for making us wait while he got ready. The truth was he was out on a date very late the night before with a girl you could tell he was head over heals for. Her name was Tina. He beamed that day with the spirit of a new love and ran the 9 miles at a reasonable place, thus allowing me to keep up, claiming to be weary from talking until the wee hours of the morning with this fantastic woman he recently met. Little did I know that he would soon marry Tina and become such a fixture in the Running community of Northampton that I cannot yet come to terms with his passing and our mutual loss as a community for a truly genuine sincere humble, inspiring, good friend to all. I'll miss the occasional run that I took with Steve and the great conversation weekly at the shop. I'll miss his encouragement and his enthusiasm when listening to my talk about the sport and my training. I'll miss his help with sponsoring the Sugarloaf Youth track league and his donations of uniforms at his cost to the Sugarloaf Youth Race Team. I hope that the Store and Steve's memory can continue for years to come. I'll miss him and I pray for his family and for all of us who now experience a void that once was filled with the "essence of Steve Snover". It was truly a privilege to know this man.
	Jim Clayton
	Steve has unfortunately reached the ultimate finish line, a line he crossed with the dignity and grace of the true champion and sportsman he will forever be. My relationship with Steve extends well back into the early 80's when I was a fledgling junior high school runner and he was tearing up the roads of western Mass. Steve was not only a testament to what hard work and perseverance can accomplish but a true ambassador to the sport of running and to life. I accompanied Steve on dozens of training runs and spent hours conversing with him at the shop, track meets, and races. I am thankful for the experience; wiser and more knowledgeable for his advice and befuddled with his passing. My deepest sympathy is extended to his family during this holiday season and while I can not begin to feel the gravity of your loss I empathize with you during this time of mourning. We will all miss you Steve.
	Matt Sheremeta Cardiff-By-The-Sea, Ca