<p>Washington Governor Christine Gregoire expresses condolences to Bette Snyder Saturday.</p>

ILWACO It was the kind of community event Sid Snyder would have relished, filled with friends, politics, funny stories and genuine emotions. His funeral Saturday at Ilwaco High Schools gymnasium was an historic gathering in honor of one of Washington states best-loved men.

Snyder, a Seaview grocer who worked his way up the ranks to become Democratic majority leader in the Washington State Senate, died at home on Oct. 14 at age 86.

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell eulogized Snyder in the elite company of Scoop and Maggie powerful Democratic U.S. Sens. Henry Scoop Jackson and Warren Magnuson. Like them, Cantwell said Snyder was good-natured and knew how to get things done.

We will always remember the man from Southwest Washington and we will all emulate him in the future, said Cantwell, who launched her U.S. Senate career with Snyders help.

Snyder never forgot his own boyhood hardships after his father died and his mother made do by taking in laundry, his son Sid Snyder Jr. recounted to about 500 mourners. He and his wife, Bette, who survives, bought the original Sids Market in 1953 for $13,200, which was 100 percent borrowed.

A slide show captured the handsome young Snyder as an Army recruit near the end of World War II, and his and Bettes obviously joyful time together, raising their children Sid, Karen and Sally at the beach. It was a portrait of members of what has been called the Greatest Generation living full, fun and productive lives.

Funeral Director Ron Hylton called Snyder the humble hero, and that theme ran through everyone elses remarks.

In one of the most striking recollections, former state Sen. Mark Doumit recounted walking through the states elegant marble Capitol Building late at night with Snyder. He stopped and placed his hand on a column, and said What an awesome opportunity this is for a couple guys like us, average working men from small towns along the Columbia River.

One among a whos who of state lawmakers in attendance, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire spoke of her personal fondness and respect for Snyder.

Sid came straight out of the soil of Washington state, the governor said, adding that he always remained fully grounded in this background of hard-working blue-collar citizens. His legacy is a state thats a far better place than he found it, through hard work and humble dedication.

Snyders close friend Marty Brown, until recently state budget director, said Synder was a politician who never caught marblitis in other words, he didnt ever let his lofty surroundings in the Capitol overwhelm his sense of reality. Brown elicited a big laugh with one of Snyders own colorful stories from behind the scenes in the Legislature.

Former Long Beach City Administrator Nabiel Shawa, now city manager in Walla Walla, told Gregoire that with all due respect, Snyder will always be regarded in our region as the governor of Southwest Washington.

Recalling that he first got to know Snyder when he was a small boy selecting comic books in the store, Shawa said it only gradually dawned on him how powerful Snyder was in the outside world when he saw a photo in the Observer of Sid Sr. and Jr. attending the Democratic National Convention together as delegates.

Snyder helped launch the city of Long Beach as a modern successful tourist Mecca by facilitating grants for the Long Beach boardwalk, Shawa noted.

In a conversation, Snyders son-in-law Bob Hamilton spoke of the familys great appreciation for the love and concern shown by so many following Sids death. People just started showing up, he said, helping ease what would have otherwise been a daunting task preparing for the historically large funeral.

Pacific County Clerk Virginia Basil performed God Bless America and God Bless the U.S.A. in compliance with Snyders wish that patriotic songs be the theme of his last great party. Teenagers Grace McPhail, Noelle McPhail and Anja Patten sung a beautiful rendition of the modern hymn Fly Away.

Pallbearers were Snyders grandsons and friends Calvin Snyder, Whitney Snyder, Cole Paxton, Bob Hamilton, Ray Paxton and Chuck Winn.