November 2016 November 18 2016 | Page 16

Page 16 The Colebrook Chronicle Friday, November 18, 2016 Obituaries Michael Slocum Gordon J. Savage, Jr. MICHAEL SLOCUM CANAAN, Vt.–Michael “The Birdman” Slocum of Canaan, Vt., passed away at home unexpectedly on Nov. 12, 2016 at age 70. He was born May 15, 1946 in Providence R.I. He was the son of the late Frank and Georgianna Slocum. Michael is graduate of Bristol High School and spent the early part of his life as a commercial shell fisherman. He served in the U.S. Navy right out of high school. He moved to Canaan in 1982. This allowed him to enjoy his love of nature, the outdoors, gardening and to pursue his passion of raising exotic fowl. Michael kept and raised peafowl, fancy pheasants, bantams, guinea hens, geese and many other types of birds. Michael loved to share his bounty and knowledge with his friends and was very generous to all he loved. Michael is survived by children Michelle Oliver, Michael and Faith Slocum and was predeceased by his daughter Sandra Slocum. He was the grandfather to Megan and Dylan Oliver, Nicole Foster; Nicholas, Nathaniel, Benjamin and Samantha Mendonca; Alanna “Mia”, Cote Jean and Giovanni Luciano and Elizabeth “Skippy” Keenan. A memorial service will be held at his residence on Nov. 22, at 3 p.m. GORDON J. SAVAGE, JR. JEFFERSON–Gordon James Savage Jr., 88, died peacefully at his farm on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Gordon was born on Feb. 1, 1928, in Newburg, N.Y. to Gordon J. Savage Sr. and Pauline (Fox) Savage. He moved to his family’s homestead in Jefferson as a small boy and, when he was six, moved to what is now known as the Presidential View Farm. He attended the one-room school in Riverton through the eighth grade and then went to the Lancaster High School. At 15 he received a Hood Foundation Scholarship to attend a special combined high school/college accelerated program in applied farming at what is now UNH’s Thompson School. He received his diploma at age 17 as World War II ended in 1945. He returned to his chosen career, dairy farming and maintained a small herd of Jersey cattle at the Savage Farm. He served in the United States Army from 1955-1957, he was in Fulda, Germany, in the Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Armored Calvary. His military occupation skill was medical aidman serving as an ambulance driver. In 1960 Gordon married Lena Pray. Together they worked The Savage Farm and raised a family of four children. For some years Gordon worked as a substitute at the Jefferson Post Office and from 1980 to 1989 he became the town’s full-time postmaster. He was an active member of the community serving in various town positions such as fire warden, a two year term as selectman, and trustee of trust funds. He was also a member of Mount Jefferson Lodge IOOF and was a past Grange member. In 1988 he was honored as Jefferson’s Citizen of the Year. Gordon was predeceased by his wife of over 54 years, Lena (Pray) Savage. He leaves behind his children Ellen (Larry) Christmann of Lancaster, Ca., Kathleen (Dave) Deselle of Merrimack, James (Lisa) Savage and children Cindy, Neil and Molly, David (Katherine) Savage and their children Ainsley and Kayleigh all of Jefferson; a sister Elizabeth Savage of Fairfield, Conn. and numerous cousins. A memorial service will be held at the St. John’s United Methodist Church Highland Chapel in Jefferson, Saturday afternoon, Nov. 19 at 1 p.m. Reverend Richard Boyden, pastor, will officiate. Burial in Riverton Cemetery, Jefferson, will be held at the convenience of the family. Donations may be made in Gordon’s memory to the Coos County Farm Bureau, Agricultural Scholarship Award, c/o Stan Knecht, 159 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584 Arrangements are under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home in Lancaster. Please go to www.baileyfh.net for more information or to send an online condolence. The Colebrook Chronicle Drop your Classified ad and payment at our Colebrook Main Street office: 82 Main Street Or mail to: PO Box 263 Colebrook NH 03576 Classifieds must be Accompanied by payment.