Obituary of Leo Sarazen

TUPPER LAKE- Leo J. "Buck" Sarazen. It is with deep sadness that the family of Leo J. "Buck" Sarazen announce his passing at the age of 97 on May 1, 2009 at St. John's Home in Rochester, NY where he had resided during the past year. Buck was born on October 26, 1911 in Brockville, Ontario, shortly thereafter he was adopted by Mary (Cusson) and Joseph Sarazen. He attended local schools and on June 10, 1933 married Clara Dumoulin at Holy Name Church. Clara pre-deceased him on September 1, 1995 after 62 years of marriage. As a young man, Buck worked several jobs including delivering milk for the now defunct Franklin Dairy and as a railroad hand. In the early 40's, he established his own fuel oil business which he operated until his retirement in 1974. After his retirement he stayed busy as a foster grandparent. His love of people kept him actively involved in several organizations including the Tupper Lake Fire Dept and the Knights of Columbus, both in which he retained life memberships. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Buck, enjoyed his "gift to gab" and his uncanny memory of past events. Besides his beloved wife, he was pre-deceased by one sister Evangeline Cole. He is survived by four children; two daughters, Irene Root of Henrietta, NY and Rita Garrelts and her husband Gerry of Raleigh, NC, two sons, Richard Sarazen and his wife June of Hudson Falls, NY and Leo Sarazen and his wife Elaine of Piercefield, NY. He is also survived by 24 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. Calling hours are scheduled for Friday, May 8 from 3 to 7 pm at the Stuart-Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Tupper Lake. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 1pm at Holy Name Church. Burial will follow in St. Alphonsus cemetery. Memorial donations in Buck's name may be made to : St. John's Home, 150 Highland Ave, Rochester, NY 14620. Online condolences may be made at www.stuartfortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.