Donald Everett Savage (1942-2014)

JAY – Donald Everett Savage, 71, went home to be with the Lord early on Friday morning, Nov. 7, 2014 at his home in Jay, with his wife Rae and caregiver Donna by his side.

He was born on Nov. 21, 1942 in Avon, the son of Benjamin F. And Pearl (Ames) Savage. He attended school in Phillips and graduated from Phillips High School, class of 1962.

Don served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1965 as an Air Force technician. In his early years, he worked as a guide at Big Island, at Oliver Oil Co. in Phillips, as a surveyor for the state of Maine DOT and then for 39 ½ years at International Paper Co, retiring as a millwright, in 2005.

He married Olive Rae Welch on March 29, 2002 and they made their home in Jay. He was a member of the Farmington Baptist Church, Mount Blue Lodge No. 67 AF & AM, and Prescott Fairbanks American Legion Post 64.

He enjoyed flying as a private pilot and was a member of the Sandy River Flying Club. Don loved sports, especially basketball, as well as hunting, fly fishing, and horseshoes. His hobbies were looking for antiques, panning gold, going to camp, playing cards and chess.

He is survived by his wife, Olive Rae Savage of Jay; his two sons: Daniel Savage and wife Sharon of Broken Arrow, Okla., David Savage and wife Jennifer of Levant; his stepchildren: Sherri Henckel and husband Andrew of Missoula, Mont., Benjamin M. Welch of Dixfield; his grandchildren, Nikki Savage of Oklahoma, Michelle Bardon and husband Justin of Louisiana, Daniel Savage Jr. of Oklahoma, Jordan Savage of Maine; his step grandchildren: Alex, Linden, Edie and Hazel Henckel of Montana, Madison Welch of Maine; his great grandchildren: Mya and Mariah Bardon of Louisiana, Abigail Banker of Oklahoma; his brothers: Frank Savage and wife Dot of Avon, Richard Savage and wife Phyllis of Phillips; his sisters, Julia (Jan) White of Scarborough, Eloise Stevens of Strong, Geraldine Smith and husband Lewis, Jr. of Farmington, Birdena Rowe of Avon, Pat Martin of Lincoln, Virginia White and husband Lawrence of Avon; his sister in-law, Beverly Savage of Jay.

He was predeceased by his parents, Benjamin and Pearl Savage; his brothers: Benjamin Savage Jr. and Reginald Savage. Don’s family wishes to thank his private caregiver Donna, who helped care for him for seven months, Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, nurse Kimberly and nurse’s aide Kathy.

Donations in Don’s memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway Suite 1509, NY, NY 10018 or www.pdf.org .

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Farmington Baptist Church, 194 Whittier Rd., Farmington with Pastor David Lewis officiating. Immediately following the service a reception will be held at the church. Interment with masonic services and military honors will follow the reception at 2:30 pm at the Mile Square Cemetery in Avon.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Dan and Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington, ME 04938.