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- Ivan R. Sauvageau, 89, passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Our Lady of Peace, Lewiston, NY. Born in Niagara Falls, NY, on October 16, 1927, he was the son of the late Sylva W. and Cora (Dugas) Sauvageau.
He is survived by a brother, Rene (Anne) Sauvageau; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was recently predeceased by his sister; Anita (Sauvageau) Phelps.
He graduated from St. Mary's high school in Niagara Falls, NY., Attended Niagara University where he excelled on the swimming team, followed by attendance and graduation at Canisius College, Buffalo, NY. Ivan was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Force just prior to the end of World War II, and was deployed to Europe. In Italy he was fortunate to experience an audience with Pope Pius XII, during which he attested to have inadvertently claimed to have challenged the "infallibility" of Pope Pius, whereby the Pope addressed Ivan as "Sergeant Sauvageau," then Corporal Ivan immediately corrected him by informing his holiness that two shoulder stripes denote a Corporal, three stripes denote a Sergeant. A story which Ivan delighted in conveying to anyone.
Having an insatiable hunger for knowledge and sharing knowledge, his short working career at Bell Aircraft and Sylvania Corp. ended at age 35 in order to enlighten his many nieces and nephews, in addition to lending his talents to brother Rene's professional land surveying company.
Ivan was the embodiment of the 'Good Samaritan,' helping others with love, peace and humility, and particularly with a wonderful sense of humor.
There will be no prior visitation. Burial will take place Thursday, February 16th 10 AM at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 500 Riverdale Avenue, Lewiston, NY. A memorial mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 18th at 10 AM at the Niagara University Alumni Chapel, Freshman Drive, Niagara University, NY.
The family would like to thank the staff of One West at Our Lady of Peace nursing home for the loving and compassionate care they gave to Ivan.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Niagara University, Office of Campus Ministry, P. O. Box 2016, Niagara University, NY 14109-2016.
Arrangements entrusted to ZAJAC FUNERAL HOME INC.
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1927 - 2017 (89 years)