Photo by Becky Polaski Greg Snelick has been pool manager at St. Marys Community Pool for the past 23 years.

Snelick first became involved at the pool in 1988 when he became an assistant to Jim Wortman.

"At the time, John Williams was [Wortman's] assistant and he left to go out of state and Jim approached me about helping him out up here and that's how I got started," Snelick said.

After working together for four years, Wortman decided to pursue other ventures and Snelick took over as pool manager.

"I've been very fortunate throughout the years to work with a lot of nice young adults," Snelick noted.

He is currently assisted by a number of individuals including Matt Pasi, Chelsea Mulcahy, Rachel Schreiber and his son, Matt Snelick.

Snelick added that things are going well so far this year at the pool.

"This year we have eight new lifeguards, eight new positions, so we have a lot of new training to do," Snelick said. "They have to become WSI certified, which means they're swimming instructors. That course is currently going on. We're also teaching a new lifeguarding course at this time."

Snelick is also employed as a math teacher at St. Marys Area High School. He began his teaching career in 1975, teaching for 3 1/2 years outside of Baltimore before moving back to the area and taking a teaching position at Elk County Catholic High School. He taught at Elk County Catholic for 25 years and recently completed his sixth year at St. Marys Area.  He teaches a variety of math related classes including calculus, geometry, algebra and trigonometry.

Additionally, Snelick is an instructor and adjunct faculty member at Penn State DuBois. These math related courses range from college algebra to calculus to basic math.

"I have been teaching since the summer of 2005," Snelick said. "I usually teach two courses a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. This year I have one during the summer session."

Music is also an important part of Snelick's life as he has been playing the accordion since he was a child.

"Music was always part of our lives, so I'm thankful to my mother and father, they started us out in grade school going to the nuns at the convent, Sister Rita at that time. We would go once a week and at that time I didn't like it very much. I didn't like being told I had to go to music lessons, but the more I played and the older I got, the more I enjoyed it. I'm very grateful now," Snelick said.

Snelick currently utilizes his music abilities not only at family gatherings, but at various community events as well.

"I enjoy sitting down and, whether it is by memory or opening up a music book, playing songs on the accordion," Snelick said. "I have gone with my son, Matt, to play at Elk Haven. Before when I did the Interact Club at Elk County Catholic we were not only there but we went to Pinecrest and a few different places and we'd go in, sing, and try to entertain the people. As a matter of fact, I'll be playing [at Elk Haven] for Father's Day. I believe on the Saturday before Father's Day they have a little get-together."

Snelick is also a commentator for masses at St. Mary's Parish.

"I've been doing that at the early mass, so on a typical Sunday you will probably catch me at a 6:30 a.m. mass and then we take a trip to the Hilltop Diner with my brother, and Andy Fledderman, and a few of our other friends and we'll eat breakfast and enjoy a Sunday morning," Snelick said.

He also announces and runs the clock for basketball games at St. Marys Area.

"Prior to that, at Elk County Catholic I did that for Aaron Straub and the one thing I have always told Aaron is that he had to wait until I left in order to win the state championship," Snelick said. "I enjoy the games and enjoy watching the kids."

Throughout all that he does, Snelick noted that he receives a lot of support from his family, especially his wife, Charlene. The couple have three children, a daughter, Becca, and sons, Matt and Dan.

Snelick noted that Becca recently began a new job in Pittsburgh and Matt will be entering his junior year at St. Vincent College and will be going to Ireland in the fall to study abroad in Galway for a semester. Dan will be entering his sophomore year at Elk County Catholic in the fall.

"I am very fortunate to be supported by all members of my family. I am very grateful. They've always supported me, especially my wife. I thank God for all that," Snelick said.