13-year-old dies during Boy Scout camp activity BY JOHN SUTTON Correspondent MATAWAN - A borough teenager died after collapsing July 25 while attending a Boy Scout camp in Forestburgh, N.Y., about 75 miles northwest of New York City. Cory Snyder, 13, was walking along a path with one of his fellow campers when he suddenly collapsed at about 7 a.m. He was pronounced dead at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris, N.Y., after paramedics attempted to resuscitate him on the way to the hospital, according to the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office. Lee Marconi, Scout executive with the Monmouth Council of the Boy Scouts of America, said that Cory had a pre-existing heart condition. The camp is operated by the Monmouth Council. "Of course our main concern is with the Snyder family," Marconi said. "Our prayers and condolences are with the family in this difficult time." Cory was with Troop 85, chartered by the Roberstville Fire Department, where he achieved the status of Star Scout. Cory was also part of the Court of Honor for Troop 85, and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol of Monmouth County. Cory attended Matawan Middle School, Matawan Avenue, where grief counseling was made available for students on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. He was a resident of Matawan for four years and previously lived in the Morganville section of Marlboro. At the Forestburgh camp, a local priest and minister were available to provide counsel for any of the campers. The Scout leaders were instructed to tell their Scouts of the news in any way they saw fit, Marconi said. "We had a leaders meeting yesterday afternoon, we informed all our leaders of the situation," Marconi said. "We asked them, however they thought best, to share the information with their Scouts. They know their Scouts best." Marconi said that he and fellow members of the Scout council met with Cory's parents, James and Dawn Snyder, and another family member to express their condolences to the family. After meeting with the parents in the hospital, Marconi said they traveled back home for the visitations and funeral mass. Matawan Fire Capt. Paul Richards said that the department has decided to treat Cory as an honorary junior firefighter because of his and his father's involvement with the department. With this status, there was a firefighters' service at his wake with fire trucks and firemen present. Richards said that there also was an honor guard at his casket with fire department pall bearers for the funeral. Fire trucks carried his casket during the funeral procession, and a wreath was placed at his monument, Richards said. "Cory was very active in the fire department with his father, helping out coin tosses, watching the fire truck," Richards said. "He was very cheerful, liked to joke around, just a normal average boy." Kathleen Olsen, principal of Matawan Middle School, said that she knew Cory personally and that his company was enjoyed by classmates. "It's a tragedy to lose a young man like this," Olsen said. "He was very well liked by the other students, and he was just a great kid." Visitation was held at Day Funeral Home in Keyport on Friday. The funeral liturgy was held at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Keyport on Saturday.