Robert Snell

“A GOOD MAN, A MIGHTY GOOD MAN” Robert “Bobby’ Snell, son of the late Joseph Snell, Sr. and Wilhelmina Shell-Snell, departed this earthly existence on Sunday, June 29, 2025. Robert entered his earthly life on September 09,1933. He was 91 years young. Born in Ridgefield, South Carolina, with his mother transitioning at the young age of 24, Robert relocated to Stamford, CT., as a child with his father. He attended and matriculated through the Stamford School System and graduated from Stamford High School in 1951. After graduating from Stamford High School, in August of OBITUARY 1952, Robert, also known as Bubba, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving from October, 1953 to October, 1956, which was after the Korean War. Returning back to Stamford, CT., and settling here Robert became employed at Pitney Bowes, Inc., retiring in 1993. In February, 1957 Robert united in Holy Matrimony with the late Nancy Ann Smith-Snell having been married for 58 years until her transition in 2015. Prior to his employment with Pitney Bowes, Inc., Robert became involved in what started out as a hobby and became a sports career with bowling. He worked at the local bowling center, setting up the duck pins and his payment was free practice bowling games. And this began decades of participating as a Southpaw (left-handed) in bowling tournaments, receiving numerous awards and recognitions. He accomplished this while working his full-time job and raising a family. Bowling was not as popular a sport as it is now, yet Robert persevered. His travels to tournaments took him all over the country and he became good friends with professional bowling phenomenon's such as Dick Weber and Earl Anthony. In his travels, he encountered racism as he was the only “dark-skinned brother” amongst his peers. There were times where hotels would deny him access to a room and his peers of another persuasion would then refuse to obtain a room at the hotel in question also. Robert became a card carrying member of the Professional Bowling Association in 1963 and even competed on the Professional Bowlers Senior Tour. He is a charter member of the Lower Fairfield Bowling Association (inducted in 1986), the Connecticut State Bowling Hall of Fame (inducted in 1987) and the Westchester Bowling Hall of Fame (inducted in 1996). Having bowled over 40 “300” sanctioned games his bowling career, Robert’s highest seasonal average surpassed 220. He was the last bowler to bowl a 300 game in the now closed, Ten Pin Bowling Alley in Stamford, CT. He also had two television appearances in bowling competition. In 1969, Robert posted the New England Bowling Association’s first ever 300 game at Hartford’s Meadow Lanes which gave him the distinction of the only 300 game of the decade in that association. Robert also became a bowling coach to others and found the time to run one of the most popular amateur bowling tournaments in the Stamford and surrounding areas. The Bobby Snell Spring Doubles Handicap Tournament ran from 1990 to 2005 at the Rip Van Winkle Lanes in Norwalk, CT., and the Westchester Bowling Lanes in White Plains, NY. Besides bowling, Robert enjoyed following other sports such as basketball, football, and baseball, especially when it came to supporting his sons, grand and great grands. He was also a Little League Umpire with the Lione Park Little League Organization. An avid Tiger Woods golf fan, Robert followed his golf idol from the beginning of his career until recently when Tiger opted out of tournaments. Robert also took up golf and belonged to a golfing club after a back injury and rotator cuff surgery cut short his bowling career. Robert was a good man, gentleman of principle and conviction. Whether on the lanes, golfing, at the park, on the job or spending quality time with his family, he always was steadfast in his character and integrity. In the community, there are those who have been affected and impacted by Robert as an upstanding husband, father, grand and great-grandfather, and friend of many. In 1976, Robert encountered stomach cancer and the community, his Pitney Bowes, Inc., colleagues and bowling buddies rallied around and donated blood for his surgery. Healed and restored, he received a clean bill of health and continued to lead a fruitful and prosperous life thereafter. He never forgot his southern roots, cooking and enjoying his southern cuisine, especially pudding and southern stew. He also loved music, especially the Motown Sound and even was a guest of Berry Gordy, Jr., retired Music Executive of Motown. Through Mr. Gordy, he was introduced to amongst others, Smokey Robinson. A former member of Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in Stamford, CT., he especially enjoyed the music and singing of gospel quartets. Although Robert was not affiliated with a local house of worship, he did attend various churches and supported one of his daughters whenever and wherever she was preaching the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus the Christ. Besides his parents and his wife, Nancy Ann, Robert was predeceased by three women who were instrumental in his upbringing. His Aunts, Mary Lee Snell, Willie Mae Snell and his second mother, Marie Smith-Snell. He was also predeceased by five brothers, Jesse, Cleo and James Smith, James Sease and Joseph Snell, Jr. and two sisters, Orabelle Jenkins and Marie Ann Owens. And he was also predeceased by one daughter, Brenda Snell. He is survived by two daughters, Reverend Dr. Dawn C. Snell and Stephanie Snell of Stamford. Two sons, Robert, Jr. of Stamford and William Snell of Quincy, MA. He also leaves to cherish his memory, five grandchildren, William S. Snell of Danbury, CT., Cherri Y. Blake, Anthony M. Snell, Gabrielle A. Snell of Stamford and Mark A. Lawson of Stamford. Also, six great-grands, Jamaal L. DeGraffrenried, Jr., Riley J. Snell, Makayla R. Pierre-Louise, Carmelo A.Z. Blake, Khalil Z.A. Blake and Autumn B. Smith all of Stamford and Bonus Great-grand, Malachi A. Johnson Also survived by a paternal aunt, Elizabeth Spearman of Stamford, two sister-in-laws, Doretha Smith of Stamford and Lucille S. Adams of Hamlet, North Carolina. A special sister-cousin, Thelma Snell-Jones of Norwalk, CT is included. A plethora of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends also honor his spirit. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 from 10:00AM - 11:00AM followed by a service of celebration at 11:00AM at Union Baptist Church, 805 Newfield Ave., Stamford, CT. Officiating: Rev. Dr Andre L. Bradley Interment will follow at St. John's Cemetery, 25 Camp Ave., Darien, CT.

Tributes

Robert Snell

September 9, 1933 - June 29, 2025