William H. Savage

1937 - 2016

KEENE – William H. Savage, 78, of Keene, passed away at home, on Friday, April 22, 2016, after a courageous and lengthy battle with cancer. 

Born on November 9, 1937, in North Stratford, N.H., the son of Raymond and Harriet (Kennedy) Savage, he graduated from Stratford High School and served in the United States Navy, then he enrolled in Plymouth State College, graduating in 1961. He earned a master's degree in education from Boston University and additional credits from American University, University of Virginia and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. 

He married Joyce M. Ceriello in a service in Concord, N.H. on June 15, 1968.  They would have celebrated 48 years of marriage this year.

Bill loved his work in education and always said how lucky he was that he looked forward to every day of his career working with students and dedicated teachers.  He 

started his career as a teacher/coach at Sanborn Seminary in Kingston, NH, before moving to the Governor Wentworth School District as a teacher/coach and later serving as the Athletic Director at Kingswood Regional High School in Wolfeboro, N.H.

In 1968 he was awarded a Ford Foundation Leadership Development Fellowship spending the year as an intern at the American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation in Washington, DC.  After many years of teaching in Fairfax,Va., he retired and returned to N.H., he then became Assistant Principal, for 8 years, at Keene High School and served as the Interim Principal in 1999-2000 for one year prior to retirement. After retiring, he returned to SAU 29 to serve a wonderful year as Principal Westmoreland Elementary School. 

He loved playing golf at Bretwood Golf Course in Keene, skiing in Vermont with friends, and a good game of cribbage with his friend, Dana McGinn.  All who knew Bill will miss his wonderful stories, sense of humor and the twinkle in his eye!  He and his loving and devoted wife were blessed with several cherished friends and met many wonderful people along their journeys. 

Following his time at Keene HS, he served for nine years as the Executive Director of the New England Council of Secondary School Principals Association.  In that role he was responsible for conducting all New England high school athletic championships. 

Bill served on many professional and civic boards and committees, both locally and internationally. 

Bill is survived by his wife: Joyce M. Savage of Keene, two sons: Michael Savage of Fairlawn, Ohio and Stephen Savage of Fairfax, Va.; his daughter: Kirsten Arendes and her husband Michael of The Woodlands, Texas; six wonderful grandchildren: Stephen Savage, Dolan Savage, Roland Savage, Sam Savage, Haley Arendes and Ella Arendes; a brother: Raymond Savage and his wife Margaret of Cary, N.C.; a sister Claire Farley of Hollister, Mass., whose husband Richard died earlier, and a sister-law Joan Savage, of Durham, N.H., whose husband Eugene Savage died earlier, and by a number of caring nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the United Church of Christ, 23 Central Square, Keene.  There are no public calling hours.  Burial will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made, in Bill Savage's name, to the Steeple Renovation Project c/o the United Church of Christ, 23 Central Square, Keene, N.H., 03431.

Fletcher Funeral Home & Cremation Services (fletcherfuneralhome.com), 33 Marlboro St, Keene, N.H .03431 has been entrusted with his arrangements.