Alden Clinton. Saunders, educator and genealogist, died on March 7, 2008, at the West Shore Medical Center, Warwick. Mr. Saunders was the husband of the late Lora B (Thurber) Saunders and son of the late Vera G. (Sweet) and Winthrop H. Saunders. He was a former resident of Chepachet, North Scituate, and Providence.

He is survived by his daughter Priscilla Sayward and her husband Wayne of Warwick, Cynthia Chase and her husband Scott of Keene, NH, his grandchildren Michael MacLeod and his wife Jessica, Christopher MacLeod and his wife Shannon, Bradford Chase and his wife Shana; Bethany Chase; and Jennifer Nappa and her husband Christopher. He was the grandfather of the late Timothy W. Sayward. He is also survived by 6 beloved great-grandchildren.

Mr. Saunders was a graduate of the former Technical High School in Providence and the University of Rhode Island, Class of 1934 and received his Master of Education Degree from R.I. College in 1941. He was a teacher in both Providence and Warwick until 1956 when he became Superintendent of Schools in the Foster and Glocester School Departments. He was instrumental in the formation of the Foster-Glocester Regional School District and served as its first superintendent. Ponaganset High School (now the Middle School) was built during his tenure. In 1962 he moved to the West Greenwich School District as its superintendent overseeing its regionalization with the Town of Exeter, retiring in 1970. He was a life-long educator and shared his love of learning with all who knew him.

Mr. Saunders was an Army veteran of World War II serving in Europe.

He was a 32nd degree Mason serving as Past Master of Rhodes Lodge No. 44 and a member of Friendship Lodge No. 7, Past Commander of Calvary Commandery No. 13, Past Patron of Queen of Sheba Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, member of Rhode Island Shriners, Scottish Rite, and many other Masonic organizations. He was awarded the Grand Lodge 50 Year Veteran's Medal and was a member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor.

Mr. Saunders and his wife were very active in Narragansett Council of Camp Fire Girls where he served as Chairman of the Camp Committee for Camp Wohelo and President of the Board.

Mr. Saunders was an active genealogist. His memberships in heritage based organizations were numerous. He served as Governor RI Society Mayflower Descendants, and was a member of The Alden Kindred of America and the Pilgrim John Howland Society. He served as State President and Registrar of The Rhode Island Society Sons of the American Revolution; was a member of The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Rhode Island, Descendants of the Colonial Clergy; Descendants of Colonial Governors; Descendants of Colonial Tavernkeepers; The Rhode Island Society of The Order of the Founders and Patriots of America; The Huguenot Society in Rode Island; The Roger Williams Family Association, the Thomas Angell Family Association, and the Rhode Island Historical Society.

He was the founding President and long time librarian of the Rhode Island Genealogical Society and was appointed a member of the RI. Historical Records Advisory Board.

He was an active member of the Chepachet Grange No. 38, Patrons of Husbandry, Providence County Pomona Grange No. 1, Rhode Island State Grange and the National Grange.

Friends are invited to call at Carpenter Jenks’s Funeral Home, West Warwick on Monday, March 10 from 5 until 8pm. Funeral will be held at the funeral home Tuesday, March 11 at 10:30am. Burial at Acote’s Field, Chepachet, RI. Information and condolences at www.carpenterjenks.com

Reported: 03/08/08 (Show all obituaries for this day)
By: Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home and White Dove Crematory (Show all obituaries and information about this funeral home)

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