Leonid "Leo" Saar

Bogart - Mr. Leonid Saar, 96, Bogart, Ga., passed away January 26, 2010.
He was born February 13, 1913, in Tallinn, Estonia. Leo was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his wife, Hilja. Leo is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Mart and Margaret; daughter and son-in-law, Lenna and Kent Johnston; and granddaughters, Julie DeCraene and Kristin Johnston.
Leo's life was full of many accomplishments. He played on a professional soccer team in Estonia, which traveled all around Europe. Leo was the team captain.
Leo was also on the Estonian basketball team in the 1936 Olympics held in Berlin, Germany. He served in the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in World War II and escaped from the Nazis. Leo then went to Sweden where he played semi-professional hockey. He then moved his family to Canada where he worked at Canadaire Aircraft and fixed many of the electrical problems on the B-52 bombers. Leo sang in light opera stage productions and he was on a radio show in the Fifties. He was very instrumental in the design of the hearing aid, which went from the box in the pocket to the ear. In his later years, Leo developed a passion for painting and art.
To the family, he was a great man and will be missed.
A memorial service will be held Friday, January 29, 2010, at 10 a.m. at the Catholic Center at UGA with Father Tom Vigliotta and Father David Hyman officiating. The family will receive friends after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, has charge of arrangements.