TRURO, N.S. – Dave Snook was always the first to reach out and help, but the last to seek fanfare for his good deeds.
Snook, an integral part of the Truro Minor Football Association executive for about 12 years in various capacities, gave so much to the organization, both on the field as a coach and off the field as a supporter.
“He was a big-time contributor in a lot of ways,” said close friend Steve Fulton, past-president of the TMFA. “He did a lot of things for people and for us that people would never know about; he would never tell you about. The things he did were just unbelievable, the contributions he made.”
Snook died on July 8, 2019 after a short, but courageous, battle with cancer. He was 65.
On Oct. 4, the TMFA will honour the memory of Snook during its annual Alumni Night celebrations at the TAAC Grounds.
Fulton grew up with Snook, and the two played peewee football together for the Truro Blue Bombers. Snook would later attend private school in Montreal, before attending Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. He returned to his hometown where he owned and operated The Snook Group commercial real estate business for more than 40 years.
“He was a fabulous guy; he knew everybody, young and old, but was sort of reclusive in some ways, so a lot of people who knew him never really got to know him, if you know what I mean,” said Fulton.
“He was a great guy, more generous than people actually know about, so many things he did. He liked to have fun, a big sports guy, especially football.”
Mary Shannon, TMFA president, was also Snook’s friend, and echoed Fulton’s comments.
“Dave was a quiet soul that didn’t want to be acknowledged for everything that he gave to the program,” she said. “It was always in the background … he gave a lot to the program and never ever wanted the recognition for it and that’s just the person he was.”
On the field, Fulton said Snook was great with kids he coached, and kept in contact with many former players long after they moved on.
“It wasn’t like, ‘I was the coach, see ya later, give me the next group.’ He made so many friends throughout at those ages. I see some of them around sometimes and we always chat and it’s all good, but he really seemed to have that connection with some of them.”
One of those players was Peter Millman, who played for the Bombers for five seasons under Snook’s guidance. Millman says he has great admiration for his former coach, who had a way of instilling confidence in players.
“For some of us just starting out, I got to say, I was god-awful; I was a terrible football player and I don’t know if I would have been able to keep going with it if it wasn’t for Snook,” said Millman. “He was the type of coach who would really take you under his wing and foster an environment of acceptance where you could become the player that you hoped to be, and was just a really fantastic man and a really fantastic coach.”
Dave’s son, JD, said he is thrilled to have his father’s memory honoured by the TMFA on Friday and is proud to see his dad's legacy live on.
“It means a lot because I know how much of an impact he had on the Truro Minor Football Association itself and as well the kids he coached,” JD said. “It definitely means a lot to those guys because he connected with the players very well.”
TMFA Alumni Night
When: Friday, Oct. 4
Where: TAAC Grounds, Truro
Games
6:30 p.m. – Atom: Truro Tide vs. Dartmouth Destroyers
8 p.m. – Bantam: Truro Freightliners vs. Dartmouth Destroyers Red
Celebration: Between games, the TMFA will honour the contributions of longtime coach and supporter David Snook. All former TMFA players, coaches and officials will be also be recognized during Alumni Night festivities.
