Michael David Saunders

Michael D. Saunders, 81, Town of Philadelphia and formerly of Watertown, passed away peacefully Friday evening, June 6, 2025, at Samaritan Medical Center with his family by his side.

Michael was born April 20, 1944 to William and Emma (Platt) Saunders. He attended Watertown schools, graduating from Watertown High School in 1962. He went on to graduate from Hobart College in 1967 with a degree in European History and while at Hobart, he was a proud member of the TKE fraternity. In 1970, Michael graduated from Boston College Law School.

After he graduated from law school, he joined Scanlon, Willmott, Aylward, & Wisner, where he served the North Country as a Civil Trial Lawyer. As a trusted member of the legal community, Michael practiced law with distinction and integrity and later became a named partner in the firm of Wisner, Saunders, & Livingston.  He retired after 34 years of service.

Michael was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. He was a member of the Jefferson County Bar and NY Bar Associations, the Admiralty of the 1000 Islands and the Black River Valley Club, where he was a past president. He was a member of the Old Geezers, Jimmy Creek Shack, and 1000 Islands Sportsman Clubs. He enjoyed golfing, skiing, and clay bird shooting. He loved the St. Lawrence River, owning Idle Isle at Point Vivian for 50 years, and he was often seen cruising the River, avoiding the shoals, in his 1947 Chris Craft 25 Sportsman named "The Voodoo".  After living in the City of Watertown for decades, Michael achieved his dream of living on the land that he owned in the Town of Philadelphia, where he enjoyed roaming the fields in his Polaris Ranger.

Michael was predeceased by his parents, as well as his devoted life partner, Patricia Puffer Tryon, and his sister, Denise Casey.

He is survived by daughter Amy (Mark) Russell, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI; son Matthew (Ann) Saunders, Watertown; five grandchildren, Andrew and David Saunders, Emma (Jarrod) Seitz, and Sam and Trey Russell; Patricia’s  3 children, Jolie Tryon and Randy Nier, Williamstown, Jill (Nate) LaGrange, Indianapolis, IN, and Joel (Camille) Tryon, Cedar Rapids, IA, and her 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; sister Andrea Tuttle, Boulder, CO; 3 nephews and several cousins.

Calling hours will be held at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown on Thursday, June 12, from 4:00 - 6:00 PM. His funeral service will be held on Friday, June 13, at 10:00 AM at Trinity Episcopal Church, followed by burial in Point Vivian Cemetery, Town of Alexandria, at noon. Online condolences to Michael's family may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com. Donations in his name may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 227 Sherman St, Watertown, NY 13601 or 1000 Islands Sportsman's Club, 47364 County Rd 111, Redwood, NY 13679.

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