Wesley Sager

Lakemoor, Illinois,Wesley Charles Sager, LTC U.S. Army retired, deputy chief New York Fire Department retired, 95, of Lakemoor, passed away peacefully Thursday, Sept. 30,2010, at his home. He was born Feb. 24, 1915, in a small town in western New York state. He attended Lynbrook High School on Long Island, N.Y., played football and graduated valedictorian in 1932. Shortly thereafter he decided that his future was in serving his country, and enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Coast Artillery and Anti-Aircraft Artillery at various posts on the east coast. In 1938, he left active the Army service and began his 37-year career as a New York City firefighter, while at the same time continuing to serve in the Army Reserve. In 1940 he met Marjorie Hutchinson and they began 64 years of marriage in November 1941 at Fort Monroe, Va. He returned to active duty in 1941 as a second lieutenant. He subsequently was promoted to captain; he commanded Headquarters Battery, 635th Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA) Battalion. His wartime service included Iceland, England and then with the headquarters of VIII Corps in France, Belgium and Germany, during which time he participated in the siege of the port city of Brest and the Battle of the Bulge. Returning to the New York City Fire Department after the war, he again was recalled to active duty during the Korean War where he was assigned as the artillery adviser to the South Korean Capitol ROK Division. He remained on active duty until 1960; he served as commanding officer of the 99th AAA Battalion, providing air defense for the Detroit area during the mid-1950s, and at the U.S. Army Air Defense School at Fort Bliss, Texas. He retired from the Army in 1960 and resumed his firefighting career, which included command of the new fire boat, John H. Glenn, in 1963, a promotion to battalion chief and finally deputy chief. He finally retired in 1976, at which time he was the senior deputy chief in the department. He loved music and history. He and Marjorie devoted their time to travel, including trips to Europe, army and firefighter reunions, and enjoying their children and grandchildren. Not long after retirement, he and Marjorie moved to Florida for the milder climate and remained there until 2004, when they moved to Lakemoor to be near their daughter, Leslie. In 2006, Marjorie passed away, and on Sept. 30,2010, he came to the end of his 95-year life as a dedicated public servant, loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his daughter, Leslie; his son, Roger (Janina) Sager; his grandchildren, Geoffrey, Leigh, Miranda and Russell Sager; and his younger sister, Joyce Sager. The funeral was held Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Village Church of Barrington. Interment with full military honors will be at 9 a.m., Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Attn: Donor Services, 7020 AC Skinner Pikeway, Suite 100 Jacksonville, FL 32256-6938.

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