Crossing Guard Says Goodbye To Beloved Post In Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT — Crossing guard Jim Snedeker is saying goodbye to his beloved post on Pond Hill Road outside Dag Hammarskjold Middle School in Wallingford.

Snedeker is well-known as the crossing guard who waves to every car that drives by Dag in the morning and afternoon on school days. In an emotional post on Facebook, Snedeker said Friday was his last day at Dag.

“The hardest thing in life is to say good bye,” he wrote in a post on the Positively Wallingford Facebook page. “There is nothing good about bye. Today was the last day at my post at Dag, the people were saddened I was leaving but no more than I. My supervisor needed help and knew she could count on me. I'm going to Sheehan and Moses Y. Beach Elementary School, for a time and will miss all the people that smile and wave.”

Snedeker said the hardest part was when he said goodbye to a first-grader and “he was breaking my heart with very sincere tears.”

“I will try to return to Dag as fast as possible, without a doubt my second home because of all the people that have touch my life,” Snedeker said.

In an interview with Patch at the beginning of the school year, Snedeker shared why he has such an emotional attachment with the Dag community. He started in 2016 and said it was a life-changing experience for him.

"I'm a widower and up until I got this job, I just sat home and did nothing," Snedeker said at the time. "They gave me a life."

Snedeker said there are five days out of the year that were special to his wife. So, when there's anybody new in his life, he sends a flower arrangement with one geranium – her favorite flower. He includes a letter explaining what the geranium is for.

In his first year at Dag, Snedeker sent it to the staff and teachers.

"One teacher came up and said, 'you had the whole school crying'," he said.

Goodbye… and Hello

Snedeker’s fans let him know how much he means to them with many comments under the Facebook post.

“Waving to you always brightened my day,” one person wrote.

Another person wrote, “We are going to miss you so much!!!! You brighten my worst of days!!! You are an amazing person Jim with a heart of gold!!! You are loved so much!!! Please hurry back!!!!”

Others were glad that Snedeker was staying in Wallingford.

“Awwwww!!!! Your waves and smiles are infectious,” read one comment. “You’ll be missed over at your Dag post... but we just share the goodness with others! Keep smiling”

And some said they might make a special trip just to get a wave from Snedeker.

“We will miss you!” one person wrote. “Hoping to see you again soon, maybe will have to drive by just to get a wave.”

Another person wrote, “We’ll miss you Jimmy! We wave and yell your name every day. We’ll still do it, and may even have to drive by MYB from time to time just to see you. Hurry back, but it’s only fair to spread the love I guess...”

And, of course, it’s not really goodbye.

“We'll wave and say Hi when we see you at Moses!” one person wrote. “You'll be missed for sure but we're not saying Good Bye, but See You Later! I guess they want you spreading that good cheer and winning smile all over town!”

See also: 'They Gave Me A Life': Wallingford Crossing Guard Glad To Be Back