June 2, 2021

By Darcy Fargo
Editor

OGDENSBURG – For Msgr. Harry K. Snow, both his role as a diocesan judicial vicar and his role as pastor gave him opportunities to show Christ’s love to others.

“He was such a good pastor and a very effective canon lawyer and judicial vicar,” said Bishop Terry R. LaValley, a longtime friend of Msgr. Snow. “People trusted him, and they knew he cared for them. People approached him with difficulties or marriage issues, and he was there to hear them and offer insights and advice.

Msgr. Snow died May 23, 2021 at the age of 70.

Bishop LaValley said it was Msgr. Snow that first got him involved in the diocesan Tribunal and Office of Canonical Affairs.

“I was a parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Church in Massena,” Bishop LaValley said. “One day, (Msgr. Snow) asked if I would serve a day a week or two days a week in the Marriage Tribunal as associate secretary.”

Bishop LaValley said that request came in either 1989 or 1990, and he and Msgr. Snow “worked together since.”

“He was just a wonderful friend and a very devoted priest of the Church,” Bishop LaValley said. “He provided entertainment during breaktimes at the Chancery. He was a great storyteller, and he was not afraid to embellish.”

Msgr. Snow was also known as an ever-present pastor.

“He was a hard worker,” Bishop LaValley said. “He was always present to his people. If they needed him, he was there. Day off or not, he was there for his people.”

In addition to his roles with the Tribunal and with his parishes, Msgr. Snow was renowned for his dedication to the communities in which he served.

“He was very involved in the community,” Bishop LaValley said. “He was a fire chaplain, and he was very involved in the fire departments, particularly in Morristown. He got to know his community, Catholic or not Catholic, and he was very well respected.”

Bishop LaValley said Msgr. Snow was also well regarded amongst the priests of the diocese.

“He had a great rapport with his brother priests,” Bishop LaValley said. “You could always count on a chuckle when you were around Msgr. Snow.”

In an interview with the North Country Catholic upon the 40th anniversary of his ordination and his retirement from the Matrimonial Tribunal and Office of Canonical Affairs in 2017, Msgr. Snow cited a particular canon – #1752 – as guidance for his life as a priest. It says:

“The salvation of souls, which must always be the supreme law of the Church, is to be kept before one’s eyes.”
A complete obituary can be found here.