Richard D. Saunders

Richard D. Saunders, 70, of Fairmount, passed away Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at Crouse Hospital. Born in Syracuse on Wednesday, September 28, 1938, he was the son of Richard Saunders and Mabel Kirkpatrick Saunders. He was a lifetime resident of the Syracuse area and graduate of Solvay High School. He was a Navy veteran. Richard was a toolmaker with Valenite Metals for more than 20 years and also a former security guard for Guardsmark. He was a communicant of Holy Family Church, member of the Camillus Elks and former volunteer fireman with the Bridgeport Fire Dept. He enjoyed making model cars and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. His wife, the former Jeanette Phillips, died November 20, 2008. Surviving are his sons, David (Michelle Minihkeim) Saunders of Syracuse and Donald (Donna) Saunders of Marcellus; daughter, Elaine Saunders of Camillus; sister, Barbara (Robert) Lessing of San Francisco, California; grandchildren, Michael, Heather and Ashley; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 12, 2009 at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus and at 11:30 a.m. in Holy Family Church where a funeral Mass will be celebrated. Friends may call preceding the service from 9 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Richard will be laid to rest in Greenlawn Cemetery, Warners. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Leukemia Society of America, Central New York Chapter, 401 N. Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13203.