STRATTON – Michael “Mike” Parker Savage died peacefully at home on May 25, 2020, after a short battle with cancer.
Mike is survived by his loving wife, Marie Savage; son, best friend, and lifelong hunting partner, Michael “Mikie” Patrick Savage and his wife Liz. Michael has one grandson, Parker Robert Savage, that was clearly his pride and joy. Mike and his wife Marie traveled hours on end to watch their grandson excel in sports. Parker is taking after his Grandfather (aka Ga) and playing third base for his baseball team.
Mike was born on Oct. 12, 1947, in Stratton, to Forest Parker Savage and Mildred Wilbur Savage, who also had two other children.
Mike graduated from Stratton High School with the Class of 1965. After graduating from high school, Mike went to Massachusetts to work for the Town of Wellesley before being drafted into the United States Army. Mike served in the Vietnam War from 1968-1969 and earned a Purple Heart for his courageous service for his country.
During his high school years, Mike was an outstanding athlete and he lettered in all sports that he participated in. He used this athletic talent to his advantage and became an avid and talented outdoorsman. Mike shot the biggest buck in the State of Maine on Nov. 7, 1987. “Quick Quill”, the name given by Mike, was a nine pointer that weighed in at 287 pounds. Mike spent years chasing the biggest bucks alongside his son and best friend, Mikie and his close friends. He cherished his time with his son who referred to him as “Smurf.” If Mike wasn’t chasing bucks, he was often bird hunting with Marie, fishing or antler hunting with one of his closest friends Dickie Burrell. His father, Forest Parker Savage, was also a hunting partner that shared his passion for training dogs with Mike. Mike picked this up with ease, like most activities that he participated in. He enjoyed many hunting days with his father and some very clever dogs.
Mike married his high school sweetheart Marie on Feb. 15, 1969. They made their home in Stratton, where Mike ran a very well-known and respected Logging Company. Mike and Marie had many dogs throughout the years. However, Mike has a huge place in his heart for his black labs Gus, Shooter, and Nilla. The Savage family of three enjoyed the outdoors including hunting birds every Fall. Mike and Marie were also often busy at their son Mike’s sporting events. Mikie inherited the athletic talents of his father and went on to achieve many accolades for his sports. They both played on a National Championship Softball team that traveled all over the country.
Mike will be missed dearly by his family and friends. His smile and energy were infectious and often filled a room. His memory will be cherished and kept alive by his adoring wife Marie. Mike’s life will be celebrated by immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or stjude.org
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington, ME 04938.
Mike and his father Parker are both in heaven planning many a deer hunting trip. Rest In Peace, Mike and Thank You for your service. My condolences to the entire Savage family. Sheryl
Condolences to the family. I knew Mike back in high school where we competed in several sports. He was one of the best athletes to ever come out of Franklin County and Maine. He was a hard worker and itt showed in everything he did. I always like and respected him. He was a cousin on my mother’s side.
A sad day.
I know Mike is in heaven with the Lord. I met Mike about 25 years ago and we’ve been close friends ever since. I’ve never met another person as knowledgeable about the woods or hunting as Mike. Rest in eternal peace my friend
Mike was a good friend, a great boss and a true mentor. I will miss him. My deepest condolences to Marie and Mikie and family. I can see him, Parker and Curt on the side of some woods road planning the days hunt as I write this.
Dear friend Marie..my thoughts and prayers are with you and your beautiful family at this time..He was a good man.father and husband..He will be missed..my heart breaks for you all..ur froend. JANICE
I will always remember Mike as someone who had a smile on his face and commitment to his family. His service to the country was second to none. I exchanged my truck for a chopper back in the early seventies. My prayers to Marie and the rest of the family. Hope we can hook up again when my turn to leave this world comes.
My Condolences to Marie, Mikey and the entire family. His was a neighbor when I was growing up and we worked together briefly and also took a memorable motorcycle trip to the Rockland one summer weekend. I do remember his athletic accomplishments at Stratton High and beyond. May the family find comfort in his peace and the many memories that he gave us.
Mike was my brother and he loved his son and grandson more than life itself. I am sorry i was not allowed to say goodbye to him. He is with dad and mom now. Peace and love to them all.
rest in Peace, Big Mike….CUZ Shirley..and Aunt Norma too..
I always loved his big smile & bigger laugh. He’s a special man that will be missed by many people. ((HUGS))
Marie,
My condolences to you and your families and friends of Michael. I was introduced to your family through your son Michael and ski racing. Woods work and deer hunting were the everyday fabric of life in Franklin county or Maine.
Bruce Miles called me to tell me about the community’s loss of your best friend and husband , Michael. Through a story about a trip you organized for “ Mikie” to accompany him on a trip to Florida to retrieve an automobile. I had known Michael as an occasional skier, along with Dennis Morin and Jim and Judy Bigelow, but Marie it’s through your son that I got to know the community of Michael in Stratton. Michael was generous with his time and expertises , I recruited your husband to help build a youth ski racing program for the state of Maine. Carrabassett Valley academy benefited from that work. I had the pleasure to watch Mike Savage, Eric Chamberlin, and Liz Hinckley graduate from CVA. There are many stories about “Big Mike”, his legacy and tales of his work ethics and joy of life will continue. I will miss him. Rest In Peace Mike
Prayers to family and friends I remember Mike with a smile always looked up to Mike his athletic ability were 2nd to none in Stratton RIP Mike
Wasn’t Mike ME state shot-put champion in High School ? He was a great guy . Wish I was around to play pool with him and my father at Trail’s End in Eustis .
Sorry for your loss Marie .
So many memories. I hadn’t seen Mike since we moved to Farmington more than 50 years ago. As I remember him, he was bigger than life even as a teenager. Lots of memories. So many things to remember. Fly high Mike. Prayers for you and your family.
Marie + Mikie, so sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of playing with + against mike for a few ywars. one thing you knew, teammate of foe, you were going to get100%. my thoughts are with you. r.i.p my friend
My Sympathies to Terry and Sandra on the loss of your big brother. You will all see each other on the other side.
My sympathies to Maire and family . I’ll miss him in hunting camp, he always made everyone laugh . I’ll miss watching him playing cribbage with Dick . The camp will seem empty with out him.