Hunterdon writing legend Lowell Snare dies at 74

Without a doubt, longtime sport writer Lowell Snare was a walking testament to high school sports in Hunterdon County.

Lowell Snare (LinkedIn)

Once suitably dubbed the "Dean of Hunterdon County athletics," Snare, who created the Milk Can trophy for the annual football game between North Hunterdon and Voorhees, died at the age of 74 on Sunday morning due to heart complications, according to his brother, Parker Snare, the former outstanding baseball coach at North Hunterdon.

I learned the sad news of Lowell's passing in a text message from my former Express-Times colleague and friend Brian Fortner, who shared these thoughts on a writer we both considered a mentor in this business.

"Lowell was one of the first writers I worked with when I started with The Express-Times over 20 years ago," said Fortner, a respected and popular freelance writer among the high school football, wrestling and baseball ranks in the Hunterdon-Warren area. "He taught me a lot. What I'll remember the most is his absolute love for the kids. He had such a great passion and connection with the young people he covered."

This has been a tough stretch heading into the start of the high school wrestling season. Another friend and former Warren Hills public address announcer, Bill Lunger, passed away at the all-too-young age of 61 in October, while longtime Hunterdon Central wrestling coach Russ Riegel died at 89 just a few weeks ago.

Snare certainly made a lasting impact on athletes, coaches and local sports writers during his long and distinguished career -- serving as sports editor at the Hunterdon Review for over 30 years and later the Hunterdon Democrat before retiring in 2013. He was a 2000 Raymie Award recipient, which is presented for significant contributions to the Hunterdon-Warren County Athletic Association. The association's Lowell Snare Courageous Award has also been given to a deserving student-athlete since 1992.

Snare, who also did freelance work for The Express-Times and was a North Hunterdon graduate, was a staple at big football games and wrestling matches. He crafted the words to the Voorhees High School alma mater and was honored earlier this month during a pregame ceremony at the 44th Milk Can Game contest. That idea came to fruition thanks to Voorhees athletic director Brian Baumann, who was once hand-picked by Snare to fill-in for him as MC at the Milk Can Game luncheon in 2007. North Hunterdon holds a 31-12-1 advantage in the series after a 17-6 victory on Nov. 1.

Unfortunately, that was only the second Milk Can Game in which Snare was not in attendance due to his ongoing health issues. Another local writing legend, Harry Frezza, paid tribute to Snare in a story by My Central Jersey on the recent Milk Can Game dedication.

"I don't think many people know how much Lowell did for the kids at North and Voorhees and Hunterdon Central over the years," said Frezza, a longtime Courier News writer who has covered high school sports for almost four decades. "He was so passionate about their achievements and always had the kids' best interests at heart."

Lowell, who was a wealth of information, helped me piece together some of my history records for the field hockey and wrestling programs in Hunterdon County. Getting to know him on a personal level and sharing some special conversations at games and matches over the years was a highlight for me. The world was a better place because of people like Lowell Snare.

"Lowell Snare was an iconic West Jersey high school sports reporter and fan," said Bob Behre, a veteran sports writer formerly with the Star-Ledger. No one loved high school sports more and knew the athletic history of his area of the state better. He was a trusted ally of his colleagues in sports reporting but, more importantly, he was a great friend with a huge heart and a good soul."

"He was a great friend that would do anything for you," Fortner said.

My deepest condolences go out to Parker, absolutely one of the best coaches I've dealt with over the years, and Lowell's longtime girlfriend Lori Taborelli, as well as the rest of the Snare family. God speed Lowell, and say hello to Bill Lunger for me.