Richard D. Saunders

Richard D. Saunders, 70, of Fairmount, passed away Wednesday at Crouse Hospital. A lifetime resident of the Syracuse area, he was a graduate of Solvay High School and was a Navy veteran. He was a toolmaker with Valenite Metals for more than 20 years and also a former security guard for Guardsmark. Richard 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 in 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, CA; grandchildren, Michael, Heather and Ashley; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at 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 Leukemia Society of America, CNY Chapter, 401 N. Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13203.