US Navy veteran who enjoyed playing golf
SAUGUS — Carl “Joe” Saunders, aged 96 died peacefully on September 20 at his home in Saugus with his family. He was the loving husband of the late Anna M. Saunders with whom he shared 67 years of marriage.
Born and raised in Wakefield, he was one of nine children of Paul A. Saunders and the oldest son of Paul and Marjorie Forbes Saunders. A 1946 graduate of Wakefield Memorial High School, he was a varsity baseball and hockey player for his beloved Warriors. Joe went on to Tufts University graduating in1950 with a degree in Economics.
Joe enlisted in the United States Navy in 1952 proudly serving during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1955. After leaving the service, he worked for the Shawmut Bank, Massachusetts Housing and Finance Authority and Crowninshield Corporation. After retirement, Joe continued to work as the Veterans’ Agent for Saugus, Wakefield and Stoneham for 19 years.
Joe is survived by his three children: Carla Scuzzarella of Saugus; Joseph Saunders and his wife Gail of Andover; and Andrea Holstein of FL. He was the much-loved Papa of Robert Scuzzarella, Michael and Raylyn Scuzzarella, Nicole Holstein, Derek Holstein, Nicholas Saunders and Daniel Saunders who were as he often described them “his pride and joy.” He adored his newest family members, his great-grandchildren Olivia and Jordan Scuzzarella. He is also survived by many dear nieces and nephews.
Joe was an avid golfer until age 85. He belonged to the Bellevue Golf Club in Melrose for many years winning the Senior Club Championship more than once. Later in his life, he enjoyed playing golf with all five of his grandsons. He loved watching his grandchildren play ice hockey, baseball and lacrosse throughout their youth and high school years. Joe was a member of the Wakefield Elks for more than 50 years.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend an hour of visitation in the Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home, 549 Lincoln Ave., Saugus on Friday, September 27 from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by a service in the funeral home at 11 a.m. Interment at Riverside Cemetery in Saugus. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Paul A. and Marjorie F. Saunders Scholarship, c/o the Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield, PO Box 321, Wakefield, MA 01880 or the Frank J. Scuzzarella, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, c/o Saugus High School, 1 Pearce Memorial Dr., Saugus, MA 01906. For directions and condolences, visit BisbeePorcella.com.
