November 3, 2011       

BLACK RIVER, N.Y.  —  John E. Sawyer, 72, of Burnup Road, died at his home Thursday morning, Nov. 3, under the care of his family and Hospice of Jefferson County. 

Born March 4, 1939, in Watertown, the son Leonard E. and Kathryn E. Perrigo Sawyer, he graduated in 1957 from Black River High School. 

Mr. Sawyer was a police officer for the Federal Police, Fort Drum, and had also worked for the New York State Park Police and the City of Watertown Police Department. 

He married Shirley Newton on Sept. 27, 1964. 

Mr. Sawyer was a member of the Watertown Salvation Army, Police Benevolent Association. 

He loved to watch and make movies and spend time with his family. 

Surviving besides his wife, Shirley, are two sons and a daughter-in-law, Terry Sawyer, and Perry and Tina Sawyer, all of Black River; a daughter and her husband, Doris and Ronald Lewis, Raleigh, N.C.; a sister, Julia Mansilla, N.J.; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. 

A brother, Leon Sawyer, died before him.

The funeral service will be 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, at Reed & Benoit Funeral Home with Capt. Evelyn Hopping of the Watertown Salvation Army officiating. Calling hours will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday preceding the funeral. Burial will be at a later date in Sanford Corners Cemetery. 

Donations may be made in his honor to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 

Online condolences may be made at www.reedbenoit.com. 

Information provided by Reed & Benoit Funeral Home and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.