Buffalo businessman Paul Snyder dies at 94

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Buffalo businessman Paul Snyder, who founded Freezer Queen, Darien Lake, developed the Hyatt Regency and owned the NBA's Buffalo Braves in the 1970s, has passed away at age 94. The announcement came from his daughter, former Kiss 98.5 morning show host Janet Snyder.

Larry Quinn worked with Snyder on the Hyatt Regency in downtown. Quinn recalls the original developer withdrew from the project.

"We were looking for somebody that would be willing to take it on, and it was suggested to me to call Paul. I didn't know Paul, and he really jumped right in with both feet right away. It was the reason it got built. He was a determined guy, a very bold guy, and a person that got things done. Just pretty impressive the way he approached it." said Quinn in an interview with WBEN.

Quinn says it was a wild ride working with Snyder.

"Paul was really a unique person. He went after things, he was tough, but fair. If there were many like Paul, we'd have a lot more done in town. I feel very sad that he's passed away. He was a big person and a big, big vision. Very big," Quinn recalled.

Quinn says Snyder saw the potential for conventions in Buffalo.

"People don't probably remember, but that whole section of Main Street was largely vacant before that time. His commitment also made it possible for, at that time, Liberty Bank building, later Fleet to build. It inspired Gold Dome to build their building. Prior to that, that whole block was a tough block in Buffalo. Most of the buildings had been foreclosed on, there hadn't been anything like this built in years. And he instilled a lot of confidence in Hyatt as well, I think he went on to do some other things with them. But he was the driving force to really getting people to believe in Buffalo," Quinn added.

Quinn doesn't believe Snyder's selling of the Braves will tarnish his legacy.

" I think he tried and he was successful," he said. "I think most people would agree that it would be very difficult to have two major franchises like the Braves and the Sabres coexist in downtown, as we know it. I admire people with that kind of nerve, that kind of courage and try. And in this case, it was successful for a long time, but then ultimately it wasn't. I don't think you blame somebody for that. I certainly wouldn't."

Snyder sold the team in 1976 to John Y. Brown.