28 Main street north
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Rob Wilson posted a condolence
Friday, September 6, 2024
Met John when he lived in Newmarket on Prospect St. We hung out at the Crows Nest and I started helping him on some paint jobs and we became goiod friends . He became like an older brother. We traded stories , made some good adventures and some great memories . Between the contracting , Ricks Place , being His real estate agent when he sold Cookstown and our constant ideas of the next great business idea and just general great conversations about any and everything its was always fun . Will miss him .
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Kevin uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
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Lorna Eling and Chris Creamer uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
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John came into my life in the late 70’s through Peter Shields. John and I lived together for 3 years in the late 80’s. Although the romance didn’t last, our friendship never wavered. We continued to share in mutual family and friend(s) events over the next 4 decades. My husband, Chris and John became fast friends 17 years ago. John would forever be family. John and I remained in consistent contact, often.
There was Peter and the Heaters, creating Music Buff, Mad Dogs and Englishmen, weddings…including Chris and mine where John’s date was Wendy (his Aunt), life events and Oh the multitude of parties to name a few. John and I shared a huge passion for philosophy, spirituality, music and books. Copious amounts of tea or wine or good scotch alongside an abundance of excellent food…many times Indian, were accompanied by hours long discussions. Our minimum 2 hours long discussions were legendary!
I do take credit for one thing in John’s life. During one of those many parties, I actually got John up on the dance floor for a fast song! All the guests (family and friends) parted like the Red Sea on the dance floor around John and I. John was having a ball!! The crowd cheered. John went solo for a bit!! There was a mirrored wall on the dance floor of the party room. John got a good glimpse of himself during his solo fast dance performance. John said to me shortly thereafter, “Lorna, Wow, Oh My God I discovered my dance style is a cross between James Brown and Jed Clampett!” We both howled with laughter because it was true! It didn’t matter to John, or anyone. John danced on and never looked back.
John’s friendships were paramount in his life. He consciously nourished them. We all benefited. John truly loved his family. He lovingly referred to Sunny (Mom), Wendy (Aunt) and Nonnie (Ruth Shortt – Grandmother) as the “Golden Girls.” The Golden Girls, Paul, Judy and Jerry were always warm, welcoming and loving towards me and my family. John knew how fond I was of Nonnie. John and I gifted Nonnie a ceramic Hippo cookie jar for her birthday once to house her always anticipated savory cheese cookies. John kindly gifted me the cookie jar after Nonnie passed. John knew I would treasure it. I still do.
Once when I was cat sitting for Sunny at her place, John and I watched the video of 2001 – A Space Odyssey on the TV in the basement, I believe. John’s family was excited about learning that John’s brother, Paul was coming to Toronto from Halifax soon. John shared, what he described as a “sweet brother moment.” John said that he remembered lying down in front of the TV while Paul ate his cereal and watched Saturday morning cartoons on John’s back. John wondered if Paul would remember that. It was a precious memory for John indeed!
John and my song was “Stand by Me.” I am Blessed, as many of us are, to have shared time with John Marshall Savage, in this journey of life and love. John was a profound presence in my life. I feel this loss deeply, as many of us do. Since his passing, I feel in my heart, that John is still standing by me. I am forever grateful for John’s presence in my life.
My husband Chris and I offer our heartfelt condolences to the Savage family. We can’t imagine how heartbroken this loss is for all of you and we share in your sadness. We are here for you.
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Marc P Lemieux posted a condolence
Sunday, August 18, 2024
I first met John in "that cult". He was a fellow musician and was friends with my wife, Susan. He rented the basement of our little bungalow for a few years during the days of touring with bands. He became friends with my then 5 year old daughter, who remembers him well. Much laughter. We recorded spoofy jingles; "Preparation PU" comes to mind. We never played in the same band together but often jammed. He was around when my kids were born. I recorded in his studio. He kept me sane in the aftermath when my wife got lung cancer and passed away. He was best man when I re-married. We had some small business hijinks. I was a Music Buff investor. We shared interests in things spiritual, in music and in humor. He had a mind like an encyclopedia. He knew what ideas came from which authors and which books. Every e-mail included links to great music or great talks. Visits would take us chatting into the wee hours. Phone calls were always an hour or two. John could talk long and listen long. There seems a great silence there now, as I listen inside. My heart to John's family and friends.
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Patrick Godfrey posted a condolence
Friday, August 16, 2024
I send my condolences to John’s family.
John changed my life.
We met in Ricky Capreol’s basement rehearsal and recording space on Heath Street sometime in 1968, maybe 1969.
Ricky played wicked Telecaster, John was a funky R&B drummer, I was sorting out my piano playing.
Rick had a cool goatee, John and I each had long hair, moustaches, and wore jeans with brogues, maybe an old sports jacket….we smoked and drank beer.
It was my lucky day, John asked me to come and meet his friends in Simon Caine, I did, joined the band, made some music and some life long friends.
John and I only saw each other in person once in the thirty-five years since I left Toronto in 1989 and moved to the West Coast, but our friendship endured.
Thanks to the internet, John played drums on a song of mine, and I added keyboards to one of his finest pieces, Badger’s Dance.
To me, John was Mister Badger, I was Mister Green. Band nicknames last a lifetime.
Most Springs, I would write him to report on my spinach crop…Badgers LOVE spinach salads…and would describe my successes and failures in detail.
This year, I wrote a bit late, the over wintered spinach had been excellent, but was finished.
It took John longer than usual to reply, when he did, he told me about his illness.
I called the next day and we had a conversation as long and wide as it was tall and deep.
We said goodbye.
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Lynne O’Connor posted a condolence
Thursday, August 15, 2024
To John, a very unique human being on a very inspirational journey. Thank you for your wisdom and friendship. My condolences to the Savage family.
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James Campbell uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, August 15, 2024
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My sincerest condolences to Paul, Judy and Sunny on John's passing. John and I met at the ripe old ages of 6 and 7 respectively. I lived at 52 Fairmeadow Ave, John and family at 44. We walked to school together until high school and even then sometimes. We played in our first band together. We formed and then proceeded to rehearse in John's bedroom. We were the Dropouts! Though we went our separate ways musically after the Dropouts, we often sat in with each other's band at the time and then came together again in a hobby band as we neared our 70's and until John decided to retire the drums in favour of full time Keys, vocals and songwriting. John was a wonderful dinner guest at my and Ulla's family home or at our cottage on Dalrymple..The conversation would often last til just before dawn, always thought provoking and mostly compelling (at least to us. :-) I miss John already and will cherish the myriad memories of our times together.. Sending love and peaceful thoughts...jc
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The family of John Marshall SAVAGE uploaded a photo
Thursday, August 15, 2024
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Zoe Heatherington uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, August 15, 2024
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John (or Saviar as he was also fondly known) played a vital role for me, for giving me the gift of life. Throughout this, he was always a calm and kind presence. He was a faithful and steady friend to my mom and his company always brought about interesting conversations, debates and laughter.
Everyone knows how talented and fiercely independent John was. I tried to harness that possible talent by having him give me drumming lessons, but it must have skipped me. I was all beat but no rhythm. I did, however, inherit his independence and love for music.
John, I just want you to know I've had a happy life. Interesting, unique and also very good. I thank you for that. I have four wonderful children and I see many pieces of you in their faces and personalities. Through your music, friendships and family, your spirit will live on. You will be missed.
Love, Zoe.
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Kevin Grew (nee Colledge) uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, August 15, 2024
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Throughout the past 55 years, John has been a part of my life.
When I first met John, it was the late 60’s, and I knew him as ‘Badger’, a nickname his buddies and bandmates gave him. Back in those days, in our group, no one was called by their actual names…..Badger evolved to Saviar and the short form version of ‘VR’.
An incredibly independent and creative man, John’s talent in music was without boundaries…drummer, pianist, vocals, mixing & recording…and more..
There was always a drum set, a keyboard and a synthesizer set up wherever he lived.
A conversation with John was never just ‘small talk’…he had a head full of knowledge, opinion and introspection. We had many a long conversation, usually accompanied by a beer or two….that lasted well into the wee hours.
He’d occasionally show up out of the blue, riding his bike from his Mom’s house over to mine, (we lived but 5 minutes apart) and we’d share the latest news in our lives.
John was a loyal friend, always sincere and always caring. Our relationship was complex and yet, at the same time, so simple.
We are all in each other’s lives for a reason. John, I will always be grateful that you were in my life.
I will miss you deeply my friend, and I know all those who knew you, will as well.
I extend my deepest condolences to your family and friends.
Wherever you are, your presence will always be close to me, in Zoe and in Zoe’s children.
Your legacy and your spirit will indeed live on in those you’ve left behind.
Love Kevin
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The family of John Marshall SAVAGE uploaded a photo
Thursday, August 15, 2024
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Gary O'Connor posted a condolence
Thursday, August 15, 2024
I always said that if I had to be marooned on an island with one other person ...it would be John. We would talk for hours ... for days even. He always had a chapter from one of the hundreds of books he read that was open for discussion and analysis. Never arguing (ever), he was always open to your views and opinions, never judgmental! I admired him. I loved him. I miss him terribly already. I know he's in a better place. I just hope that ... wherever he is ... they can play funk. Gary
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Elke Ramstead (nee Neugebauer) uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
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Elke Ramstead (nee Neugebauer) lit a candle
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
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I first met John (Saviar) Savage back in Oct. 8th, 1964 when he was the drummer in 'The Cobblers' (l-r) Bob Jones, John, Tom Sheret, Bill Palmer (Mouse) and Dennis Pendrith when they played at Bayview Secondary High School. I started seeing Bill and ended up hanging with the band at practices, etc., especially during their 'Simon Cane' days. John and I always had a good relationship - I even took a couple of glass blowing classes and joined The Church of Scientology for stint along with John and Bill. Then life came along as well as husbands and children, but John and I managed to touch base every few years. I saw him perform with different bands throughout the years and took this photo of John when I saw him at a Mad Hatterz gig in 2017. The last time I heard from him was last summer when he sent me a couple of his CD's. I was really impressed with his singing and his command of the various instruments which he excelled at. He was exceptionally talented and kind. I will always cherish the memories and I will always miss his chuckle....until me meet again, Saviar.
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Heather Piggott uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
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I remember first meeting John back in 2013 at a jam in Alliston. I was one of three-quarters of a newly formed band and we were desperately looking for a drummer. We asked John if he would join us and were given a definite “No. I’m not drumming anymore. I play keyboards.” We pursued him relentlessly over the following few weeks until he reluctantly agreed to sit in for ONE gig. Six years later John announced: “Do you realize we’ve been together longer than the Beatles?!” One venue was so small that John actually fit a kids’ drum set into a vintage suitcase that he could close up and carry away. From then on he was known to us as John “Suitcase” Savage.
Not one for idle chatter, when John had something to say it was purposeful. Every conversation was relevant and thought-provoking, and I will be forever grateful for his inspiration and guidance in my musical journey.
My deepest sympathies to John’s family. His passing is a huge loss.
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Karen McCagherty uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
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I am deeply saddened by the sudden and too soon loss of John. He was a good friend and band mate for many years. His unique view of life always inspired deep thought and reflection and I will miss that. His presence on the kit was grounding and at times flamboyant I’ll never forget Cold Shot or Who Let The Dogs Out. He has left a legacy of songs that he put his heart into writing and it will be a wonderful way to remember him and understand who he was.
My condolences and prayers go out to John’s family. He will be missed by many
John’s music family is large and spans many years. His light will shine on.