John Savage, a longtime Ladner resident and advocate for the farming community, passed away.
A proud member of a Ladner pioneer farming family, Savage died peacefully in his home last Saturday. He was 82.
Savage spent his farming career working with his father and brothers on their family farm, HR Savage & Sons Farm Equipment, located on Ladner Trunk Road.
He was involved with many local and agricultural associations over his lifetime including being president of the Delta Farmers’ Institute. He was also a president of the Delta Chamber of Commerce and also served on Delta municipal council. From 1986 to 1991, he was an MLA in the Social Credit government where he served as the minister of agriculture.
Former premier Bill Vander Zalm, also a Ladner resident, said Savage was great to work with and did a great job as MLA.
“He was very respected and always worked hard. I think he did a terrific job and I enjoyed working with him. Our condolences to his family,” he said.
Mayor Lois Jackson, who had run with Savage for Delta council, said he was dedicated to improving his community.
“He worked very, very hard and really contributed. When they wanted him to run for the province, I think he was somewhat torn but I said to him he has to go where his heart is and where he thought he could do the most good,” said Jackson. “Of course, he became the agricultural minister and he did a fine job. He was always a great community person who always had a chuckle and a smile. He was a hard worker who’ll really be missed.”
Delta Farmers’ Institute president David Ryall said Savage’s passing is a real loss for the local agricultural community that benefited from his tireless work, even during what should have been his retirement years.
“He loved to work for the benefit of the agricultural community. The last really big item he did was making sure irrigation water was brought in when the South Fraser Perimeter Road came in. He and Robert Butler, they worked tirelessly on the project that spent somewhere in the neighbourhood of $20 million towards improving the irrigation for the Delta farmers. They went to meetings a few times a months for something like three or four years, many hours. For the last three or four summers it’s been drier than normal and what John helped bring in has been a godsend to some of the farmers,” said Ryall.
In the legislature Delta South MLA Ian Paton paid tribute to Savage, calling him a champion of agriculture who had an incredible and storied career.
Over the years, Savage also enjoyed pitching in the Ladner Men’s Fast Pitch League, bowling, golfing, hunting, fishing and traveling.
He is survived by his wife Margaret, three daughters, four siblings as well as several grandkids.
His family is asking that in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Delta Hospital Foundation or the charity of your choice in John’s memory.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
