Wayne A. Sage

Wayne A. Sage, age 82 of Perry Center, NY passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family after a battle with Glioblastoma. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

He was born on July 1st, 1943 in Warsaw, New York to the late Charles W. and Mabel E. (Hamilton) Sage, the fifth of six children. He grew up in Dale, NY with a strong love of family and farming.

Wayne was a 1962 graduate of Wyoming Central School and received his Associates Degree in Animal Husbandry in 1967 from SUNY Morrisville. Following graduation Wayne worked for Squib Research Farm in Cream Ridge, NJ, later moving to Curtis Burns (currently Seneca Foods) in Mt. Morris as Field Manager for 33 years, retiring in 2000. He worked briefly as a loan officer for Wyoming County Bank. In his retirement he worked as a crop insurance adjuster and returned to Seneca Foods as a seasonal field man. Wayne had a true love of agriculture and raising livestock, especially being shepherd of his beloved sheep. He instilled a strong work ethic in his children and grandchildren by including them as he completed his numerous endeavors including raising lambs and market hogs, selling firewood, Christmas trees, and seasonal produce.

He was a member of the First Congregational Church in Perry Center and later Hope Chapel in Perry, Perry Center Fire Department where he was a Fire Commissioner, President of Prospect Hill Cemetery Association for over 30 years, National Junior Horticulture Society Advisor, Western New York Two Cylinder tractor club, Wyoming County Fair Association, and past member of the Wyoming County Republican Committee.

Wayne’s love for the Wyoming County 4-H program began when he started as a member himself, earning State and National Achievements in beef and sheep projects. 4-H was a way of life for Wayne, even meeting the love of his life, Joan at a 4-H Council dance. His involvement included being a volunteer, program leader, and club leader for not only his own children and grandchildren, but for countless other youth along the way. He was chairman of the 4-H Livestock Committee for many years and an integral part of the successful annual Meat Animal Sale at Wyoming County Fair.

Wayne and Joan most enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren going to county fairs together, John Deere gator rides to the woods to share a picnic lunch, building forts in the barn, and playing at the secret creek. It was during moments like these, that his family would often hear him say, “Kids, this is livin”! The annual Sage Family winter weekend at Letchworth State Park, where he cooked his big country breakfast and daytrips to the Genesee Country Museum were some of his favorite things.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 59 years: Joan A. (Lockwood) Sage whom he married on February 11, 1966, 3 daughters: Laree (Gary) Sherman of Perry, Kerry (Michael) Bell of Pavilion, Janelle (Mark) Shepard of Geneseo, grandchildren: Olivia (Joseph) Perrin, Madeline Sherman, Meredith (Zachary) Norris, Emelyn (Allen) Fagan, Courtney (Justin) Sformo, Jameson, Miriam, Naomi, Simeon, Gabriel, and Phoebe Shepard, Great grandchildren: Samuel Perrin, Clayton and Magnolia Norris, sister: Shirley Jeffres of Pearl Creek, sisters-in-law: Mary Sage of Clarence, Carol Gillis of Pompey, Lorraine (Kevin) Wolfer of Lyons, brothers-in-law: Harold (Thelma) Lockwood of Texas, James (Penny) Lockwood of Silver Springs, many special nieces and nephews, and special (“untrainable”) dog Willie.

Along with his parents Wayne is preceded in death by a son-in-law: Jason Markle, siblings: Eunice Dills, Roger, Ronald, and Douglas Sage, sisters-in-law: Cindy and Gail Sage, brothers-in-law: Robert Jeffres, Roger Dills, and Wayne Gillis, and dear cousin: Edward Reich.

Family and friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 pm on Wednesday, September 17th at the Eaton-Watson Funeral Home 98 North Main Street in Perry. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, September 18th at 11am at the funeral home. Wayne will be laid to rest in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Perry Center.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wyoming County 4-H Program 36 Center St. Warsaw, New York 14569 or to Prospect Hill Cemetery Association C/O Sandy Brick 7618 State Rt. 20A Perry, NY 14530.