Robert R. Saari

Robert R. Saari, 84, passed away on Thursday, January 13, 2011 with beloved and loyal companion, Patricia G. Matte, by his side, and the loving support of devoted family and friends. He was born in Worcester on Sept. 29, 1926 to the late John and Ida W. (Kuoras) Saari. He was a 1945 graduate of Commerce High School and had an Associates Degree in Engineering from Worcester Junior College. He attended the Massachusetts Maritime Academy from 1945-47. His military service included 1949-50 duty on the USS Edisto (AGB2) AG89 as Underway Watch Officer, Assistant Navigator, CIC Officer, and Cryptologist, with Arctic Duty. He served on the USS Duxbury Bay AVP38, as Senior Deck Watch Officer from 1951-52. He graduated from the Naval Shipyard in Bayonne, NJ Salvage and Deep Sea Diving School in 1952 and served in 1952-53 on the USS Reclaimer ARS42 as Executive Officer, Salvage Officer, and Hardhat Diver (home port Pearl Harbor); duties included rescue of downed pilots in Korea and mine retrieval in Wonson N. Korea, as well as construction and salvage work at Iwo Jima and Chichi Jima. Saari was a recipient of the Korean Service Medal with 3 stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. From 1992-2001 he served on the USCG Barque Eagle as Quartermaster of Watch. He was also employed as Unlimited 3rd and 2nd Mate for American Export, and United Fruit Lines in New York City. His later career included self-employment as a builder and contractor in Worcester, MA; Licensed Insurance Broker, and real estate manager.

Bob was a member of the Finnish Ski Club in Fitchburg where he served as president, cut trails for and organized cross country races at Mt. Wachusett. He was a member of Finnish American Clubs in Canterbury, CT and Paxton, MA; the Appalachian Mountain Club as trip leader for canoeing, back-country hiking, and cross-country skiing; the Worcester Toastmasters Club as past president; Scout Master of Troop 5 (Trinity Lutheran Church, Worcester, MA) leading camping trips to Treasure Valley in Paxton, MA and the White Mountains, canoeing trips in Maine. He belonged to the VFW (Putnam, CT), American Legion (West Boylston, MA), Polish Club (Southbridge), Theft Detection Society (Woodstock, CT), Woodstock Historical Society, and was a Lifetime Member of the Woodstock Fair. His interests included conservation, dancing, woodworking, history, and collecting. Most recently he enjoyed site checks on son Michael Saari's "Spectacular AO" sculpture in Southbridge, MA.

He was predeceased by wife Inga Olsen Saari; sister, Linnea, and brothers, Waino and Herbert. He is survived by sons, Wayne Saari (Newport, RI) and Michael Saari (Woodstock, CT), nieces, Linda Colby (Yarmouth, MA) and Marilyn Sibley (Worcester, MA)

Funeral services: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA; Calling Hour at 9:00 a.m. followed by a service at 10:00 a.m. Burial in Bourne National Veterans Cemetery, Bourne, MA at 2:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Robert R. Saari to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Attn: Scholarship Fund, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532-1803. To leave a message of condolence in the on-line guestbook, please visit:

www.NordgrenMemorialChapel.com