Paul Baron Saunders Jr.

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Mr. Paul Baron Saunders Jr. Paul passed away on Monday night, April 13, 2020 at the Westchester Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing after succumbing to COVID-19. Paul was a life-long resident of Mount Vernon, New York.

Paul was born on May 3, 1945. He was the oldest son of the late Paul and Audrey Jackson Saunders.

Paul was educated in the Mount Vernon City School District and graduated from Mount Vernon High School. Paul continued his education at Long Island University, in Brookville, New York. He excelled in basketball and was chosen to represent a professional team of players in France and Italy.

Paul was fluent in French. His employment history includes Westcop, where he worked with the senior population, and also mentored and counseled youth. Paul worked in the Mt. Vernon City School District as a Substitute Teacher. He also worked for the City of Mount Vernon, New York in the Water Department, and most recently as Recreation Specialist at the Shelton E. Doles Community Center.

Paul developed some health challenges, but did not allow these issues to cause him to be “sick and tired”. He was reinstated to the Unity Baptist Tabernacle, Inc. the church that had nurtured him from childhood. It was there that he found a place to use his Tenor Voice. Each Third Sunday, Paul made his way to sing with the Unity Male Chorus. Paul loved the Lord and loved to sing His praises. He also loved people, and they loved him. The Male Chorus members became his extended family.

Paul had recently begun to study acting in New York City. This was something that he was always interested in and was finally getting an opportunity to fulfill his dream. He met many people whom he developed lasting friendships with.

Paul had many nicknames, which include Paul Jr., TP, Tall Paul, and Sy to name a few. When asked why he was nicknamed Sy, he would say,” Because the ladies would look at me and S- I- g- h. “He was a great jokester.”

Paul leaves to cherish his loving memory a son, Paul Alexander Baron Saunders, Tuckahoe, NY two brothers, Aaron Saunders, New Rochelle, NY and Eric Saunders, Ogdensburg, NY; four sisters, Ramona Saunders, Yonkers, NY, Linda Saunders, Mt. Vernon, NY, Juanita (Gregory Sanville) Rivera-Ortiz Jamesville, NY and JoAnna (Josh Nugent) Saunders, Ogdensburg, NY; One Aunt, Evelyn Saunders, Mt. Vernon, NY, and the special cousins he resided with for many years, Edna Foster, Zaree Foster, Kareem Rousseau and Shona Marshall, Mount Vernon, NY, a step mother Rosa Saunders of Morristown, NY as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and other cousins.

He was predeceased by a sister Olivia and an infant brother Noel.

Paul will surely be missed. The gentle giants’ voice is stilled. His legacy and memory will remain in our hearts forever.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Paul’s’ life will be held at a later date. Paul's family would like to thank everyone who has reached out to members of his family throughout these hard times.