Obituary of Gerald Theodore Saari

Gerald  T. Saari, born November 6, 1938 in Port Chester, New York, to the late Gertrude Saari (nee Beckman) and the late Eino Saari, passed away at age 79 on September 4, 2018 in Wimauma, Florida. Jerry graduated from Port Chester High School in 1956 and went on to earn his Associates in Engineering, with honors, from Bridgeport Engineering Institute in 1960. He studied at Rensselear Polytechnic Institute where he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi.  He received his degree in Industrial Engineering in 1963 from NYU and an MBA from Western New England in 1968.  He had a life-long career at IBM as an Industrial Engineer until retiring in 1999 to pursue his hobby of sailing.  He was a member of United States Power Squadron much of his adult life taking courses in both advanced navigation and piloting and teaching classes in boating safety.

Gerald was the beloved husband of Edythe (Edie) Saari (nee Lemler).  He was preceded in death by his sister, Alice Randolph. Gerald is survived by his children: daughter Karen Lalli and son-in-law Paul Lalli; son Craig Saari and daughter-in-law Tammi Saari; and daughter Janice Saari.  He has three wonderful grandchildren: Andrew Lalli, Nathan Saari, and Allyson Saari.  Jerry was an accomplished sailor always finding strength and serenity on the water, and when on land he immersed himself in landscaping, home renovation and shuffle board - enjoying his lifelong passions with family and good friends. 

Friends and family can pay their respects at the visitation, officiated by Rev. Kenneth W. Farnsworth, on Friday, September 7 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. followed by funeral services at 5:00 p.m. at Sun City Center Funeral Home - Sun City Center, 1851 Rickenbacker Drive, Sun City Center, Florida, 33573.

Donations in Jerry's memory can be made to:

Moffitt Cancer Center

https://give.moffitt.org/site/Donation2