IN MEMORIAM

Lyall H. Sage, 86; State Trooper

Guarded Rockefeller At Otesaga

FRANKLIN – Lyall H. Sage, 86, a state trooper who served on Nelson Rockefeller’s detail when the governor visited The Otesaga, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019, at the Veterans Home in Oxford.

He was born on March 21, 1932, in Sayre, Pa., the son of Edna Sage. He graduated from Towanda High School in June 1950.

He married Roberta Moody Sage in Dushore, Pa., on May 3, 1952.

Lyall worked at Ingersoll Rand in Athens, Pa., as a machinist until he enlisted in the Army in 1950. He served as an MP during the Korean War, guarding gold at Fort Knox. He was honorably discharged as a corporal on May 9, 1955, and served with the Army Reserves until May 31, 1961.
He returned to work at Ingersoll Rand until he accepted an appointment with the state police on Oct. 25, 1956.

He was assigned to Troop C as a uniform trooper and later became a member of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. He was stationed at Sidney, Cooperstown, Oneonta and Margaretville barracks.

Lyall was also part of the accident investigation unit, was senior trooper for several recruits and taught at the State Police Academy in Albany. He retired on Aug. 17, 1977, with 21 years of service.

In retirement, Lyall held a variety of jobs, including private investigator, car salesman, center disciplinary officer at Oneonta Job Corps, mailroom supervisor at Hartwick College, construction worker on I-88, tractor trailer driver and courier for Wilber National Bank.

Lyall was a member of the Masons, Elks, Police Benevolent Association, Antique Car Club, Ouleout Valley Fish & Game Club, Franklin American Legion Post No. 1689 and attended the Franklin Community Bible Church.

Lyall was an avid fisherman and hunter. He loved animals, enjoyed playing pool and a good game of poker with his buddies. To keep in shape after retiring he swam laps and walked. He was proud to show off his 1956 Oldsmobile Holiday and had a cameo appearance driving his car in the movie, “Cobb,” a 1994 biopic about Ty Cobb starring Tommy Lee Jones, during its filming in Cooperstown.

Lyall was a dedicated family man who loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed taking them fishing, on 4-wheeler, snowmobile and tractor rides around the field behind his home.

He is survived by his wife, Roberta of nearly 67 years; his children, Karen Sage, Linda (Sage) and Tom Worden, Kelly (Sage) and Douglas Coughlin; grandchildren, Brad and Tina Brundege, Keri (Brundege) and Jeff Enslow, Justin Worden, Jonathan and Kathryn Worden, Lindsay Worden, Daniel Coughlin, Sage Coughlin and Jeffrey Coughlin; and great-grandchildren, Alex Brundege, Dylan Brundege, Leah Brundege, Emma Enslow and Emmaline Worden; and sister, Eileen Sherman.

Visitation will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 10, with a memorial service to follow at 3 p.m. at the Franklin Community Bible Church, 89 Center St., Franklin, with Pastor Walt Schlundt officiating.

Burial with military and state police honors will take place at a later date in the Ouleout Valley Cemetery, Franklin. Donation in Lyall’s memory may be made to one’s local SPCA.

Condolences to the family may be made online at www.bennettfh.com.
Arrangements are by the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, Franklin.