09/25/2026
Branchport- Sigurds Liepins passed away on September 20, 2026, after an illness, with his loving wife by his side.
Born on September 11, 1940, in Latvia, Sigurds’ early years were shaped by the turmoil of World War II. Early in the war, the family home was overrun first by Russian armies and soon thereafter by the German army. In 1944, as Russian forces advanced once more, Sigurds and his family fled Latvia on a long and perilous journey, traveling on foot and in a horse-drawn cart to Riga, often sleeping in barns struck by bombs, then by German warship to Germany while hiding in fjords by day, travelling at night, before arriving safely. The family lived in a displaced persons camp in Germany for more than five years before immigrating to the United States in 1950. The Hatfield family of Utica, New York, sponsored them, with help from others in their church.
Sigurds attended high school in New Hartford, New York. He graduated from Mohawk Valley Community College and later from the engineering school at Rochester Institute of Technology. In 1963, he entered the Army National Guard, where he served for six years as a marksman and earned Sharpshooter recognition.
He married Shirley, his beloved wife of 61 years, and together they made their home on Canandaigua Lake. There they raised a family, welcomed friends, and created a life rich in laughter, hard work, and simple joys.
Sig worked as an engineer at Crosman Arms, collaborating on the popular 766 air r***e and co-inventing a patented gas-operated revolver that launched Crosman’s CO₂ revolver line. He later became Vice President of Engineering and went on to serve as a respected expert witness for the air gun industry, providing depositions and courtroom testimony in cases across the country.
An avid outdoorsman, Sig enjoyed weekends at the family camp in the Adirondacks with his hunting buddies, cutting wood, cooking excellent meals, playing cards, and drinking b**r and rye. He and Shirley bought a woodlot where they spent countless weekends cutting and splitting mountains of firewood and carving trails for cross-country skiing. He took special pleasure in driving his Case tractor across the property. At their cottage on the lake, he delighted in piloting his boat, teaching his daughter and her friends how to waterski and sail, and sharing stories over ice-cold pitchers of b**r drawn from his famous keg fridge. In the winter, he sailed down ski slopes on the longest skis imaginable.
A gifted craftsman and artist, Sig made many beautiful improvements to both his home and cottage. He was a longtime member of the Rushville Lions Club, where he formed deep friendships and enjoyed many golf tournaments and games that brought the group together. Sig was an incredible storyteller who loved to share a good joke over a b**r. He was known for his broad smile, booming laugh, and even bigger heart. A wonderful host, he always had his famous Italian sausage in sauce, an ever-present wedge of Jarlsberg, and his infamous tall pour ready.
He took great pride in watching his grandchildren’s sporting competitions and music performances. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he cheered the Yankees, the Bills, and Syracuse with equal passion—celebrating their victories and, on the rare bad day, threatening to throw the television into the gully.
Sigurds is predeceased by his parents, Janis and Anna Liepins; his sister, Dr. Dzintra Greenwald; and his sister-in-law, Barbara Liepins.
He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley; his daughter, Catrina Oswald (Jeff); his brother, Janis Liepins; his brother- and sister-in-law, Wayne and Sandra Thompson; his grandchildren, Emily, Oliver (Rachel), Dr. Meghan (Chase Crowden), and Benjamin (Sara); his niece, Jackie Thompson; and his nephews, Greg (Linda) Thompson, Curt (Lisa) Thompson, Neil Greenwald, and Eric (Kim) Greenwald.
Sig will be remembered as a man of ingenuity, generosity, and joy who lived fully and loved deeply.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Rushville Lions Club, P.O. Box 113, Rushville, NY 14544.
Please visit www.perkinsamesfuneralhome.com to send a message of condolence to Sigurds family.
