IN MEMORIAM: Norman Saunders;

Town Justice, Instructor At BOCES

MILFORD – Norman Saunders, former Milford town justice and for years an auto-mechanics instructor at ONC BOCES, passed away Jan. 31, 2018, at home, peacefully and unexpectedly.

Norman was born the son of Emily and Archie Saunders. He married Ruthie (Ruth) Jones on Nov. 11, 1950.

He spent the first 44 years of his life in Gilbertsville, where he was owner/operator of the Texaco Service Station, which he ran until 1967.

After he sold the station he began his career as the auto mechanic instructor at the vocational education center, in Milford, until his retirement in 1992.

Norm and Ruth moved to the Milford area in April 1974. Norm served in the Army Cavalry in 1949-50 being honorably discharged at the rank of corporal.

Norm was active in the communities that he lived. He joined the Gilbertsville Fire Department in 1954. In 1960, he along with others started the Gilbertsville Emergency Squad.

Norm served as town justice in Milford.  Along with Ruthie, he volunteered at what was known as the Oneonta Hospice in 1994-2008, delivering meds to shut-ins.

Norm is survived by his daughter Kathy Weller of Hornell; two sons, Ken (Sybil)of Jacksonville, Ala., and Steve (Sela) of Stafford Springs, Conn.; eight grandchildren, Angel Ray, Sam Saunders, Mike Weller, Tom Weller, Stephanie Dickerson, Alysia Saunders, Andrea Paciga and Shonna Logan; 10 great grandchildren; two sister-in-laws and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Norm was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Ruthie Saunders; his mother and father; sister Kathryn Park; brother Kenneth; son-in-law Grover Weller and a special nephew Daniel Downey.

Calling hours will be 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, at the Johnston Funeral Home in Morris. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.johnstonfh.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the Johnston Funeral Home.