Copyright Baton Rouge Advocate
L. Cary Saurage II — a philanthropist and civic leader lauded for enriching the arts world in Baton Rouge — died on Nov. 4 at home in Baton Rouge. He was 81. Saurage was a gentle spirit and a generous supporter of countless projects that enriched the city of Baton Rouge and the lives of its residents, according to arts and community leaders. His grandfather, Henry Norman “Cap” Saurage, was the founder of Community Coffee. He started the company in 1919 in Louisiana after developing a popular coffee blend at his grocery store, naming it "Community" to reflect the sense of togetherness his coffee fostered among customers. That same sense of community — one of connection and care — was a driving force for Cary Saurage, said Francis Guglielmo, who was his fraternity brother at LSU. The Cary Saurage Community Arts Center, which houses the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, is an example of his community support and generosity. "Cary believed in the Arts Council and in the power of the arts to change lives," said Jonathan Grimes, president and CEO of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge. "The Cary Saurage Community Arts Center is his legacy of imagination and generosity — a place where people create, gather and grow. We are honored to carry his vision forward." He was a 1962 graduate of University High School and a veteran of the United States Army. He studied landscape architecture at LSU. "He was one of the nicest people I have ever known," Guglielmo said. "He was an astute listener. I cannot stress enough about his thoughtfulness and generosity." His devotion to local philanthropy and cultural preservation will leave an enduring mark for generations to come, according to Jason Andreasen, Baton Rouge Gallery’s president/CEO. He helped establish and fund a variety of scholarships and fellowships, including the Crespo award, a $5,000 annual award for Louisiana artists. "Cary was the best of us. He brought kindness to strangers and friends in equal measure," said Andreasen. "Cary's belief in what art and what artists can bring to people — and to a community — made Baton Rouge better. That legacy will live on in all the artists he knew and all the arts endeavors he gave life to." Saurage was an avid art collector. He also served in many leadership roles with a variety of local organizations, including the Louisiana Art and Science Museum, the LSU Museum of Art and Hill Memorial Library. He supported other organizations, particularly those that aligned with his appreciation for nature, beauty and landscape design, which he studied in college. He was a supporter of the LSU Burden Center and Magnolia Mound Plantation. Community leaders, including former mayor Sharon Weston Broome, recall working with Saurage through the years to improve life for the citizens of Baton Rouge. "His commitment to Baton Rouge and his generous spirit have left an indelible mark on our community," said Weston Broome, who worked with Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge on the development of the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center. "Cary's legacy will continue to inspire all of us who believe in the power of giving and the importance of community."
