Obituary: Donald R. Sarazen, 86

March 20, 1936 — January 18, 2023

Donald R. Sarazen, of Reading, formerly of Cambridge and Waltham, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House with his family by his side. He was 86 years of age.

He was a great father, teaching his sons how to get ahead through hard work and study.   Don was an outgoing, kind, and very likeable man who loved to travel and was fortunate to visit 6 of the 7 of continents during his retirement. Don worked in banking for his entire career, starting as a clerk in the mail room of Harvard Trust Company in Harvard Square and ending as Senior Vice President for Operations. He served as president of the Institue of internal auditors, Greater Boston Chapter. In 1983 he received a master’s degree in Banking from Rutgers University. He was a proud army veteran and patriot.  He was always interested in discussing politics and did so with an open mind to opposing viewpoints.  He loved football, the Wall Street Journal, and a good joke. He donated a great deal of blood, enough for the Red Cross to honor him with a gold pin.   Through bank mergers, he worked for Harvard Trust, BayBank, BankBoston, and finally Fleet Bank (which later became part of the Bank of America), but when asked, he always said he had worked for BayBank. Don was a kind and gentle soul, and his family and friends will miss him greatly.

Don is the beloved husband of the late Nancy (McLaren). He is the cherished father of Donald Sarazen and his wife Barbara, James Sarazen, William Sarazen, Daniel Sarazen and his wife Kelly and the late Stephen Sarazen. Loving grandfather of Ashely, Katelyn, Kristen, Michael, Truman, Noah and Rose. Great grandfather of Olivia, Emmett and Wyatt. Dear brother of Robert Sarazen and his late wife Mary-Jo, Leo (Hank) Sarazen and his wife Susan and the late Phillip Sarazen and the late Pauline Lefebvre. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral from the Barile Family Funeral Home 482 Main St. (RT28) STONEHAM Friday, January 27, 2023 at 9 am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Donald’s Eternal Life in St. Patrick Church 71 Central St. Stoneham at 10 am.

Family and friends are kindly invited to gather and share memories with the family on Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 3 pm to 7 pm in the funeral home. Parking attendants and elevator available.

Please consider donations in memory of Donald to Kaplan Family Hospice House Care Dimensions 74 Liberty St. Danvers MA 01953. https://www.caredimensions.org/care-services/hospice-houses/kaplan-house.cfm.

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