Forest Parker Savage Jr., of Stratton, Maine, was a longtime public servant, business owner and family man. Born in Rangeley, Maine, on Feb. 12, 1922, Parker grew up, married, and raised his children in the town of Stratton. After his graduation from Stratton High School in 1939, Parker joined the Army and served his country in World War II. Parker was honored for his service with several medals including the Bronze Star. After the war he returned to his wife (Mildred Fern Wilbur (Savage)) and his daughter Sandra Tressie Savage (Scribner). They had two more sons Michael Parker Savage and Terry Vance Savage. Mildred left us on Oct. 27, 2002. Parker died from heart complications on July 10th 2008 at approximately 5 a.m.
Besides being a decorated World War II veteran, Parker was a dedicated public servant, serving on the Stratton Board of Selectmen from 1956 until 2000. Parker was a member of the School Administrative District #58 during its inception and construction of the new school in Salem. Parker remained in public service until his passing as a member of the Eustis Planning Board. Upon his return to the Stratton-Eustis area after the war, he took over a dog training business and began his life’s passion. Parker is known for his gun dog training abilities all over the Eastern United States andCanada. Parker belonged to other local and national organizations including the Masonic Lodge. Aside from training dogs Parker also worked in the Maine woods, he owned the first gas powered chain saw in the Eustis area.
Parker leaves three children: a daughter Sandra, son Michael and son Terry. Sandra’s family; her husband Randall Scribner, their three girls, Sherie and her husband Harvey Packard, Eustis, Maine; Cheryl and her husband Raymond Heikkinen of Stratton, Maine, their children Amber Rae, Christopher and Robert and Roberts son (Parker’s great great grandson) Brehdyn; Kathleen and her husband Jeffrey Jorgensen and daughter Randi-Lynn. Michael and Marie Savage of Stratton, Maine, and their son, Michael Patrick Savage and his wife Elizabeth (Liz) Savage of Reno, Nevada. His son Terry with Dorothy Adala of Sanford, Florida, Terry’s children Christine and her husband Mathew Malloy and their daughter Lexie of Reno, Nevada; Jamie and his wife Nicole and three children, Forest Parker, Luna and Teagan. Christine and Jamie’s mother Vivian Savage of Sanford, Florida. His brother Roger and Ellen Savage of Wilbur, Washington. His sister Norma Savage Luce of Anson, Maine, and her extended family; Pat Savage and her family; Mildred’s sister Joyce Wilbur Kelley and family; his companion Florence Grant of Stratton. And his English setter, Brandy. Predeceased by his brother Richard Savage of New Jersey.
A Service will be held at the Flagstaff Memorial Chapel, four miles north of Stratton on route 27, just past the Cathedral Pines Camping area, on Thursday, July 17th at 1 p.m. with a reception to follow at the Eustis Community Center in Stratton Villagenear the Stratton Post Office. Arrangements under the direction of Adams-McFarlane Funeral Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St., Farmington. Those wishing to make donations may do so to the: Dead River Historical Society, P.O. Box15, Stratton, Maine 04982.
