Paul Lewis Snyder Sr. Obituary, BUFFALO, N.Y. — Paul Lewis Snyder Sr., a Buffalo businessman, entrepreneur, and former owner of the Buffalo Braves NBA franchise, died on August 10, 2026, at the age of 87. His career spanned business, entertainment, and professional sports, leaving a lasting mark on Western New York.
Snyder was born and raised in Mansfield, Pennsylvania. He initially attended Alfred University before transferring to the University at Buffalo, where he competed in both football and wrestling. His athletic background would later become closely connected to his career in professional sports.
In 1958, at the age of 20, Snyder founded Freezer Queen, a frozen-food company that became a major employer and a recognized name in Buffalo and beyond. His entrepreneurial career continued in 1964, when he purchased 500 acres in Genesee County and began developing what would eventually become Darien Lake.
Over the following two decades, Snyder transformed Darien Lake into one of New York’s prominent amusement parks before selling the property in 1983. His business ventures expanded beyond individual companies, creating employment opportunities and contributing to the development of entertainment destinations in the region.
Snyder also played a significant role in the early history of professional basketball in Buffalo. In 1971, he purchased the Buffalo Braves, an NBA expansion franchise that had entered the league for the 1970–71 season. As principal owner, he oversaw the team during its formative years as professional basketball established a presence in Buffalo.
The Braves faced significant challenges during Snyder’s ownership, including competition from the newly established Buffalo Sabres and local college basketball programs. The team also faced difficulties securing prime dates at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. In 1977, Snyder sold the franchise after the challenges surrounding the team proved difficult to overcome.
The franchise later relocated to San Diego and eventually to Los Angeles, where it continues today as the Los Angeles Clippers. Beyond his involvement in professional basketball, Snyder’s business career encompassed ventures that helped shape Buffalo’s economic and cultural landscape for more than five decades.
Snyder’s death marks the end of a career that connected entrepreneurship, entertainment, and professional sports. His work as the founder of Freezer Queen, developer of Darien Lake, and former owner of the Buffalo Braves remains part of the history of Western New York. Condolences are extended to his family, friends, and all who knew him as they remember his life and contributions.
