ASHTABULA — Walter Samuel Saari, age 71, of North Bend Road, died Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009.
He was born April 14, 1938, in Ashtabula, the son of Carl and Dyyne (Carlson) Saari and had been a lifelong resident.
He attended Ashtabula High School and later served his country in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany.
Prior to his retirement in 2000, he worked for Molded Fiberglass as a tooling engineer and previously for Roller Reinforced Plastics.
Walt was passionate about cars and racing. He started drag racing in 1955 and had been involved ever since. He and his family raced a car regionally since 1979. He was very proud of having attended the NHRA Nationals in Indianapolis for the past 42 years. He also enjoyed 50’s and 60’s music, breakfast with his buddies, car shows and spending time with his grandchildren and family.
A member of the BPO Elks #208, he served faithfully as Inner Guard for eight of the past ten years and had filled in for many absent officers at meetings during his time as a member.
His survivors include his wife, Sandra (Kellogg) whom he married July 10, 1965; three children, David (Denise) Saari of Wooster, Carl (Jamie) Saari of Jefferson and Tina (Bill) Buser of Painesville; four grandchildren, twins Andrew and Aaron Saari and Kaycee and Miranda Saari; one sister, Helen (Dick) Spangler of Colorado; and three brothers, Herb and Raymond, both of Ashtabula and Lloyd (Lynda) of Andover; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Henry “Hank” Saari and William Saari; and his parents.
A Service will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 10th, at DUCRO FUNERAL SERVICES AND CREMATORY, 4524 Elm Ave., Ashtabula. Burial will be in Saybrook Cemetery.
Calling Hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 9th, at the Funeral Home. BPO Elks #208 will conduct their Memorial Service at 7:45 p.m.
Contributions may be made to BPO Elks #208 or to the DRAW (the Drag Racing Association of Women) which helps families of injured racers (www.drawfasthelp.org).
Obituary at www.ducro.com and starbeacon.com.
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Walter S. Saari
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Walter S. Saari
Sunday, November 8, 2009
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