Mr. Joe Savage

IT was with great sadness and shock that the Loughinisland, Drumaness and Ballynahinch communities learned of the very sudden and tragic death of Joseph John Patrick Savage last month.

Joe was a very popular and well known member of the East Down community. His loving, caring and humorous personality made him an instantly likeable character. The grief expressed at his untimely passing is a testimony to the esteem in which he was held throughout the community. It is of no surprise, therefore, that the sense of loss felt by his wife, Carol, sons Michael and Gary, daughter-in-law Roisin and granddaughter Chloe is immeasurable.  

Joe, or ‘Wee Joe,’ as he was better known, was a big character in a small body. Joe was: a loving husband and father, generous, hard-working, a real family man, caring, humorous and, as all who knew him would agree, a joker.

Joe was also a country man through and through. His university was the fields and hills around the townland of Drumsnade where he was raised and his books were the cattle and livestock that he attended.

As Joe grew up his view of the world expanded. In fact, some would argue that Joe set his sights higher than he could actually see. The challenges and targets he set himself were carefully planned. Once Joe set his sights on something he remained focussed until he achieved what he set out to do, so it is no surprise that at the age of 15 when he went looking for a girl he met his future wife, Carol. 

In 1983 this romance became a lasting partnership when Joe and Carol married in St. Colman’s Church, Dunmore. After a year of married life the two became three with the birth of their eldest son, Michael,
and within three years the family welcomed the birth of a second son, Gary.

As the years progressed this quartet of a family became closer and stronger. In his new role of fatherhood Joe displayed a great interest in his sons’ hobbies, especially football.

In fact, through the Saturday football games he got to know many of his sons’ friends, who quickly realised he was fair game for their friendly banter and practical jokes which were part and parcel of the weekly training sessions and matches associated with Ballynahinch Olympic Football club, an organisation that Joe contributed to so freely with his time, knowledge and love of football.

He became a surrogate father to so many of the young team members he guided up through the ranks into their senior football playing days. As these young footballers grew up and settled down with their own wives and families, ‘Wee Joe’ became a household name.

Once again, his family grew when his son, Michael, found a bride in Roisin and Joe and Carol gained a much-welcomed daughter-in-law. Those who knew Joe would agree that his greatest and proudest moment was on Monday, April 18, 2011 when Chloe, his first grandchild, was born. Joe relished his new role of being a grandfather and wasted no time introducing his new granddaughter to agricultural life. Joe was in his element and the bond that was formed was as close as you could possibly get.

In his later years Joe worked tirelessly as a care worker, attending the elderly and the housebound. In a private way Joe brought joy to those he attended. Despite his tough exterior, there was a softer centre and his dedication to “his wee people” was indicative of his compassionate and caring personality.

In Joe’s short life, that ended so needlessly and tragically, an awful lot was achieved. A testimony to the man known by
so many and so affectionately was apparent over the
difficult days of his passing and at the wake. The overwhelming number of people who called at the house and sent messages of support was a very clear
demonstration of the high esteem and respect in which Joe was held.

The massive congregation of mourners who packed the inside of St. Macartan’s Church, Loughinisland, as well as the large number who had to listen to Joe’s Requiem Mass from the churchyard, reinforced his popularity even more. It was also a vivid indication of the loss felt by the many who lives he touched in so many different ways.

In a very poignant sign of respect, he was carried to his final resting place through a guard of honour made up of nearly 40 young men who played for St. Colman’s GAC, Drumaness, and members of the Ballynahinch Olympic Team.

The East Down community has lost a true gentleman, a man who would go out of his way to help and a character that would bring a smile to those he met.  Let those who knew him pray for him and remember him. Deepest sympathy is extended to Carol, Michael, Gary, Roisin and Chloe.