Gerald Joseph Savage M.D.

Gerald Joseph Savage, M.D.

Age 95, passed away Monday evening, June 9th peacefully surrounded by his family at Cokesbury Village in Hockessin, Delaware.

Jerry Savage was born in Melrose, New Brunswick, Canada and spent his childhood in Melrose and later in a nearby town, Port Elgin. He graduated St Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia 1942. Although he had been accepted to medical school he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army. During his physical exam for the army the enlisting officer informed Jerry that the country was still going to need young doctors and that he should not delay his opportunity to study medicine. His decision had been made. He moved to Montreal and attended McGill University School of Medicine. As part of his post-doctoral training, he then completed an internship at St. Mary's Hospital in Montreal. He was still a young man and figured that once he started his career he may not have the freedom that he still had. With that he decided to go to New York City and interned at Staten Island Hospital. Upon completion he decided to focus on anesthesia and was offered a Fellowship for a Residency in Anesthesiology at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.

Up until that point his life had been consumed by school and work and very little social life. That was about to change.

During a wedding reception for a mutual friend at One Fifth Avenue, Jerry met his future bride of 50 years, Josephine. Jerry and Josephine married on September 3rd, 1949 in New York at St Patrick's Cathedral and honeymooned in Lake George. They moved to Wilmington Delaware in 1950 where he practiced anesthesiology at the Delaware Memorial Hospital which later became part of Christiana Care Health Systems. During his 38 year medical career he became Chief of Anesthesia of Delaware Hospital, was an Honorary Associate Professor of Anesthesiology of Thomas Jefferson University, and was instrumental in creation of the School of Anesthesiology, Wilmington, Delaware.

Following his retirement from medicine he was delighted to be offered a job at ICI America in Wilmington. He worked as a liason between practicing physicians using a new ICI anesthetic and the company's research staff. The corporate world was a whole new world to him and it was a great experience.

Outside of his career his interests were varied. He developed a love of history, literature, poetry, art, American antiques and travel. His memory was amazing and even in his 90's he could lighten up any conversation with a quick joke or a bit of interesting trivia that came to his mind.

He is predeceased by his wife Josephine who passed away in 1999 as well as his two brothers and his sister. He is survived by his four children, Jane Savage King (Bill) of Pittsburgh, PA; Brenda M. Savage (formerly Meldrum) of Wilmington, DE; Dr Christopher L. Savage (Kathy) of Wilmington, DE and Eileen S. Wallace (Jay) of New York City. In addition he has 5 grandsons, Samuel M. Meldrum (Sarah) of New York City, Henry S. Meldrum (Megan) of Wilmington, DE, Jonathon W. King of La Jolla, CA, Alexander B King of New York City, Brenden C King of San Francisco, CA and two great grandsons, Charles B. Meldrum and Henry J. King.

The family would like to thank the Healthcare staff of Cokesbury Village for the wonderful care that they provided to Dr. Savage during his time there. In addition we would like to thank two people from Home Instead - Maria and Harriett - the companionship and kindness that they extended to our Dad was unconditional and we are so grateful for the extra comfort that they provided.

Friends are invited to gather for a Memorial Service Friday June 13th at 10:30 AM at Christ Church Christiana Hundred, Greenville, Delaware. Interment will be private. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.mccreryandharra.com.