Saratoga Springs, NY -City native, educator, businessman and public servant, Rod O. Sutton, 91, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013 at his residence, surrounded by his family. Born on Nov. 10, 1921 in Saratoga Springs, he was the son of the late William and Cornelia Cameron Sutton and he was a twin sibling of the late May Hodgson. He graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in the class of 1940, attended Albany Business College and was then drafted into the US Army in 1942. He was assigned to the 825th Ordnance Co., served at the internment camp for Japanese Americans in Santa Anita, CA and was promoted to Sergeant on Dec. 23, 1943. He was sent overseas to the European Theatre Operation as part of Headquarters under General Eisenhower. Following duties in England, France, Belgium and Germany, Rod was discharged on Dec. 24, 1945 and then attended Siena College where he received a B.S. in Economics. On June 15, 1947, he married the love of his life, the former Mary Maglione and they have been happily married for over 65 years. He operated Five Points Grocery store for 12 years, returning to school (Oneonta) and received his teaching credits and taught at Corinth Central Schools for 27 years, retiring in 1984. Since the late 1940's, Rod could be found during racing season parking cars on Union Avenue across from the Saratoga Race Course and worked this well into his 70's before passing it on to his children and grandchildren. Mr. Sutton remained active in his hometown community throughout his teaching career and during his retirement. A member of the Saratoga Springs Zoning Board for twelve years, followed by three terms as Commissioner of Finance (1968-1974), he also served as a member of the Urban Renewal Agency and the Saratoga Springs Planning Board. Rod spent much of his life dedicated to the Saratoga Springs B.P.O. Elks Lodge 161. Initiated in 1953, he was Exalted Ruler in 1964-1965. In his many years with the Elks, Rod was chairman of the Northeast Scholarship Committee, a member of the State Bowling Committee, three-time Chairman of the State Bowling Tournament hosted in Saratoga Springs, which brought thousands of bowlers to the city during the tournament, a Northeast District Trustee, Treasurer of the State Elks Association, and was selected Old Timer of the Year in 1979. An avid bowler at the Elks Club, he was best known for bowling a 300 game - one of only two ever bowled there. A recipient of a Hometown Hero award presented by the Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau for his efforts in bringing tourists to our community, he was a longtime member of Gurtler Bros. Post 420 VFW and American Legion Adirondack Post 70. In addition to his parents and his twin sister, he was predeceased by his brother William and his sister Minna. Survivors include his wife, Mary; two sons, Rodney J. (Amy) and Mark (Kimberly) Sutton; his daughter, Cameron (Keith) Simons, all of Saratoga Springs, his beloved grandchildren, Brian, Patricia, Kristin, Jenna, Keith, Katherine and Jonathan and his great-granddaughter, Addison May. Relatives and friends may call from 2 to 5pm Sunday (Jan. 6, 2013) at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373). Funeral services will be conducted at 10am Monday (Jan. 7, 2013) at Bethesda Episcopal Church, 41 Washington Street, by The Very Rev'd. Marshall J. Vang, Interim Rector. Burial with military honors will follow in the family plot at St. Peter's Cemetery, West Ave. Memorials may be made in his name to the Elks Scholarship Fund, Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge 161, P.O. Box 3111, Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence Street or to Bethesda Church, Flower Fund, 41 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com. Members of Saratoga-Wilton Elks 161 will meet Sunday at 5pm at the funeral home for services.