24-05-2025
Mayor's advisor on violence remembered as a life changer in Rochester
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — When Victor Saunders passed earlier this month, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans released a statement the next day calling the Advisor on Violence Prevention and long-time youth intervention specialist a committed public servant.
On Friday evening, friends, family, colleagues and those Victor Saunders helped along the way gathered at the Faith Chapel Apostolic Church to pay respects to a man they called a quiet leader.
'He changed his life in order to change other people's lives.' said Officer Moses Robinson, Community Liaison and Crime Prevention Officer with the Rochester Police Department.
Chief of Police David Smith, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans and others who worked closely with Saunders offered their condolences to Saunders' family.
'He'd come into my office and talk about his family. He loved his wife, kids and grandkids and his mom,' Mayor Evans reflected outside the church.
Inside, a steady stream of mourners offered kind words and hugs to Saunders' family. Those who benefited from his expertise and generosity also shared their memories.
'He taught me how to do this work with love and compassion and how to give grace,' said Hank Warfield who works as a parent engagement coordinator for the Rochester City School District.
'He's just a good man,' Warfield said he communicated with Saunders the day before he passed away on May 8.
'I want people to remember that Victor Saunders was an advocate for children always first.' said RCSD School Board Commissioner Beatriz LeBron. She said she remembers his work in the school district and as part of The Center For Youth.
'I remember when he used to walk the streets talking to youth,' said Robert Forbes, Saunders' brother in law.
'I was a bad kid coming up,' Forbes recalls. 'Just to see him wanting to change his ways made me want to change my ways.'
Though they are grieving many say they are filled with gratitude for the way he demonstrated forgiveness, hope and peace.
'His character was impeccable. He loved to laugh. He was so sincere,' Warfield said.
Mayor Evans said he never saw Saunders angry and he had a special way of connecting with people on a human level.
'He was just someone that was beloved. He could talk to the district attorney and then go talk to a kid on a basketball court. Not many people can do that.' Evans said.
The funeral services for will be held Saturday, May 24 at Faith Chapel Apostolic Church at 800 E. Ridge Road.
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