John R. “Bob” Savage, 91, passed away Friday July 26, 2013, at the Coos County Nursing Home in Berlin. He was born in Manchester, NH on Dec. 1, 1921. John Robert Savage grew into a fine athlete, who excelled in pitching. He attended Staunton Military Academy where he continued to excel on the Mound. He compiled a 22-1-2 record, during his time there. Bob’s Baseball Career was shelved for three years as he served in the US Army – Company D, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. He was awarded three Purple Hearts. Pitching with Nazi shrapnel still in his back, Bob returned to the Athletics in 1946 and pitched in 44 Ballgames – more than any other hurler in the AL. He picked up his first big league victory that season, four long years after his debut. A complete game, 4-1 triumph over New York at Yankee Stadium on July 7, 1946. Bob remained with the Athletics through the 1948 season, then pitched briefly with the St. Louis Browns in ’49, before finishing out his playing days in the Pacific Coast League. Starting his 2nd career at age 48, he finally used his teaching degree and settled down to teach Phys Ed and coach Baseball, Basketball and Golf at Gorham High School in Gorham, NH from 1969 to 1983. He then went on to run for Political Office. He became Registrar of Probate and remained there until he finally retired to Golf Links in 1986.
He is survived by his wife Rita A. (King) Savage of Randolph, NH, his children Bobbie and Jon Savage, his stepchildren, John Lyons and wife Rachelle of Saco, ME and Kathy Lyons and husband David Frankle of Orono, ME, his grandchildren Ben and Sam Lyons and Rebekah Frankle.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday July 31, 2013 at 10 AM at Holy Family Church in Gorham. Interment will follow in the Randolph Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the Bryant Funeral Home, 1 Promenade St., Gorham on Tuesday afternoon and evening from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Online guestbook at www.bryantfuneralhome.net. Donations may be made in his memory to the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society, PO Box 731, Hatboro, PA 19040 or Greyhound Rescue of New England, PO Box 507, Mendon, MA 01756.