Scott Dale Sayer

Scott Dale Sayer, 55, of Scott Twp., died peacefully Friday at Mercy Hospital after a brief illness. His wife and soulmate of 17 years is Donna Davis Sayer.

Born in Scranton on Aug. 29, 1955, to Eleanor I. Breward Sayer, Clarks Summit, and the late Ralph R. Sayer, Scott attended Waverly Elementary School and graduated from Abington Heights High School. He completed his law-enforcement education under the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Act in 1981, and became a police officer for Scott Twp. Police Department. Scott earned the rank of lieutenant in 1986 and acted as chief whenever necessary.

Scott loved police work, attaining many awards during his 26 years on the force, including several for bravery. He believed in leading by example and performed his duties with courage and confidence. Scott had an innate ability to sense certain details about situations he was faced with, which intuition helped him resolve them safely. He was an accomplished marksman and trained in handling bombs and explosives.

He worked at the Lackawanna County DUI Center for many years as a processing officer. This was one of his favorite jobs and he was known as the "legend" of the center. His great sense of humor and being the first with a joke added much delight to those around him. Many funny stories can be heard from his best friend and police partner, Bobby Mroczka. Most recently, Scott worked for Dunbar Armored Services.

He loved his dog, Luther, and was a man with many hobbies, including model trains, bonsai tree art, RC planes, vintage cars and raising salt water fish. Scott also loved to buy trucks, as those at Toyota will attest.

Scott enjoyed living in the country and working on his family's land, driving his tractor, cutting the fields and gardening. He especially loved get-togethers at the family campground, Radial Acres, where he could be found with Joe Rochinski cooking at the grill.

He was a wonderful son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother-in-law, friend and provider, who loved his family deeply and would unselfishly do anything for them. Scott will be sadly missed by everyone who was a part of his life and will be remembered as a strong, courageous man, who always spoke his truth.

Scott' s membership affiliations were the Scott Twp. Police Association, Fraternal Order of Police, NEPA Bonsai Society, Hudson Model Railroad Club and Endless Mountains Model Railroad Club.

Also surviving are four children, Scott R. Sayer and companion, Tinna Gilbride, West Pittston; Shaun C. Sayer and companion, Kim Bidwell, Taylor; Adam J. Basalyga and wife, Stephanie, Carbondale; and Tamara L. Bish and husband, Daryl, Gainesville, Fla.; nine grandchildren, Scott, Ricky and Lora Sayer, McKenna Sayer, Olivia and Kate Basalyga, and Jonas, Devoney and Keenan Bish.

He was preceded in death by, and is now reunited with, his father, Ralph R. Sayer.

Sincere gratitude is extended to Dr. Stephen Jaditz for his exceptional assistance and care, the physicians, nurses and staff at Mercy Hospital for their kindness and compassion and the Scott Twp. Police Department and Association for their heartfelt support and help.

Cremation arrangements are being made through the Robert E. Decker Funeral Home, Peckville.

Friends and relatives may attend a memorial celebration of Scott's life with lunch to follow, Sunday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m. at the Inne of the Abingtons, RD 1, Dalton (I-81 Exit 199 West on Route 524).