Wayne A. Saunders

Funeral services for Wayne A. Saunders will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 11:00am at the O'Leary Funeral Home in Canton with Maurice LaFaver officiating. Burial will follow the service in the Morley Cemetery. Mr. Saunders passed away on Friday, April 10, 2009 at the Wesley Health Care Center in Saratoga Springs surrounded by his family.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 from 2-4 and 7-9pm. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Wesley Health Care Center or to Hospice and Palliative Care of the St. Lawrence Valley or Saratoga Hospice.
Surviving Mr. Saunders are his wife of 53 years Edna, of Saratoga Springs, his daughter Cheryl Harrigan and her husband Thomas also of Saratoga Springs, a sister Barabara Cox of Zephyrhillis, FL, 7 step-grandchildren and 5 nephews and their families and 10 nieces and 4 nephews and their families on his wife's side of the family.
His brother Arnold "Pickle" and sister in law Betty Saunders predecease him.
Born December 8, 1930 in Massena, son of the late Arnold and Connie (Ashley) Saunders. He graduated from Canton High School in 1949 and in 1951 he entered into the United State ARMY serving till 1953 in Germany as a Morse code operator. Upon returning to Canton he worked for Bob and John Coakley for 13 years, specializing in house construction then moving on to work for Morning Star Homes, Ogdensburg, specializing in construction and furnace service. On April 30, 1955 in Canton, he married Edna Hubbard with Rev. Seldon Ward officiating. Wayne also worked for Jack Newman for a short time and for a year at BOCES in Ogdensburg for a year as an interim shop teacher. Wayne went on to operate his own business, We-Can Service, specializing in Carpentry and Furnace service. Retiring at age 62 he continued with his carpentry traits at his home shop in Morley, was well known for his cabinet making and wood-working.
He and Edna moved to Saratoga Springs in June of 2004 to live with their daughter and her husband after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In 2007 Wayne became a long-term resident of the Wesley Health Care Center.
Mr. Saunders was an active member for years in local dance clubs, such as Skirts 'n Flirts and other various square/round/ballroom groups. He was an avid NASCAR fan.
A luncheon following the service will be held at the Canton Methodist Church, anyone wishing to donate a dish to pass contact Myrtle Butterfield at 379-0312. A memorial service at Wesley Health Care Center in Saratoga Springs will be held at a later date.