Daniel J. Sawyer

WEST SAND LAKE Daniel J. Sawyer, 78, of Denver Drive, died Friday, October 6, 2006 at his residence after a long illness, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Bennington, Vt., he was the son of the late Daniel Sawyer Sr. and Katherine (LaBlanc) Sawyer and husband for 54 years of Mary Wolchek Sawyer. He was raised in Bennington, Vt., resided in Fort Plains, Fleishmann's, East Greenbush and since 1964 in West Sand Lake. He was a graduate of Sacred Heart School in Bennington, bachelor's degree from Springfield College in 1953 and earned his master's from Siena College in 1965. Mr. Sawyer was a teacher for 36 years in Fort Plains, Fleishmann's, and retired from the Averill Park School District in 1989. At Averill Park, he taught high school sciences, was director of Title I elementary reading program in the Averill Park Central School District, started the interscholastic tennis program and taught adult education and driver education for Averill Park. He was a member of the American Polar Society, the NYS Retired Teachers Association, the Sgt. Walter Adams American Legion Post #1021, the U.S. Navy Memorial and a communicant of St. Henry's Church in Averill Park. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving on the USS Philippine Sea during Operation High Jump with Admiral Byrd. Mr. Sawyer is survived by his wife Mary (Wolchek) and three sons, Paul Sawyer of Palm Bay, Fla., Mark Sawyer of Thousand Oaks, Calif. and Peter Sawyer of La Crescenta, Calif.; a brother, Richard Sawyer of Essex Junction, Vt.; a sister, Marge Pineau of Concord, N.H.; three grandchildren, Jennifer and Nicole Sawyer and Sarah Guinn; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Francis Sawyer. Funeral service will be held Monday at 9:00 a.m. at the DeGraaf-Bryce Funeral Home Inc., 4392 Route 150, West Sand Lake and at 9:30 a.m. at St. Henry's Church on Route 66 in Averill Park where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. John Provost, pastor. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home Sunday from 4-8 p.m. Interment, St. Nicholas Cemetery, Boght Corners in Colonie. Contributions may be made in memory of Mr. Sawyer to the American Diabetes Association, 7 Washington Square, Albany, NY 12205 or the American Heart Association, 440 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205. For a private family guest book and service directions, visit: www.brycefh.com