Ballston Spa – Leon Wallace Steele, known by most as Sarge, age 77, passed away Thursday evening, June 26, 2008 at his home in Ballston Spa.     

Born July 18, 1930 in Albany, NY, Sarge attended Albany High School and served in the US Army from 1947 to 1967. He married in 1954 and has four children.

Sarge was awarded the Honor of the Silver Star while in the military service. He also served as a Police Officer in Manassas Park, VA, then moved north where he worked at the Saratoga Harness Track as a security guard. He worked as a Special Deputy for the Sheriff’s Department, Standard Furniture and drove a mail truck for Bucky Clark and Bruce Mathews. He had finally become self-employed as a mail truck contractor and was owner/operator of Sarge’s Triangle Diner for the past 25 years. He was a member of the Masonic Temple and the American Legion.

Sarge enjoyed watching cowboy movies, camping, hunting and relaxing by smoking his pipe.

He is survived by his wife Helen G. (Smith) Steele of Ballston Spa, NY; his sister, Rose Giacchetta of North Carolina and four children, Lee & Alice Steele of Broadalbin and Ballston Spa, NY, Helen Trachsler of Alabama, Earl & Karen Steele of Saratoga Springs and John & Heather Steele of Victory Mills, NY; 9 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren, one step-great grandchild and several nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents, William Fredrick & Eva Belle (Black) Steele and his father and mother-in-law, Earl H. and Helen M. Smith.

Relatives and friends gathered on Sunday, June 29, 2008 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes in Saratoga Springs.

Funeral services were conducted on Monday, June 30, 2008 at the funeral home. Burial with military honors followed at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd. in Stillwater, NY.

Memorials may be made in his name to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 85 Watervliet Ave., Albany, NY 12206.