Juneau resident Francis Orin Saviers died September 24, 2012 at his home in Juneau. Saviers was born August 1, 1924 in Wendell, Idaho to John Saviers and Hazel Wickersham Saviers. His childhood was on a farm but when he was in his teens, his family moved to Maple Valley, Washington. When Francis was in his twenties, he came to Juneau, Alaska. He married Ruth Saviers in 1954 and they had three children, Richard, Robert, and Rosalie. Francis had a daughter, Faith, from a previous marriage.
Francis was a mechanic by trade and worked for Juneau Motors and Hanna & Wynn before eventually working for the Alaska Dept. of Transportation and Public Facilities as a heavy equipment operator. He retired from his state job many years ago and enjoyed gardening with Ruth and taking his airboat to Berners Bay for hunting and fishing. Over the years, Francis and Ruth enjoyed many boating and fishing trips together.
Francis was preceded in death by his wife Ruth but was blessed to have his children living in Juneau along with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His house always had family coming or going. The ice cream bars were always stocked up for the quick stop-in or for long fun visits. Many overnighters in sleeping bags in his living room and school projects kept his house a busy place. He was frequently seen cheering the grandchildren on at their various sporting events over the years. He looked forward to each and every day because someone always needed him and he had so many ongoing boat and auto projects. All the grandchildren grew up having rides on his backhoe in the winter when he plowed his driveway. Francis was a religious man and said he was always ready for heaven.
He is survived by sons Richard Saviers of Juneau and Robert (and Shelly) Saviers of Juneau; his daughter Rosalie (and Mike) Nizich of Juneau; his daughter Faith Saviers Ermey of Texas; grandchildren Melissa (and Scott) Caswell, Nick Saviers, Amanda Saviers, Nicholas Saviers, Justin Saviers, Thomas Saviers, Bryce Saviers, Reese Saviers, Cort Saviers, Chase Saviers, Tony (and Ginger) Nizich, Tanya Nizich, Phillip Hackenberg, Ken Longo and Christelynne (and Michael) McClure and numerous great- grandchildren.
A celebration of life is planned for next summer.
Published in The Juneau Empire on Oct. 2, 2012
