Goodbye to a true gentleman
Mr John Savage has been a very special member of our KRH family since 2014. We are very excited that he reached his 99th birthday on the 22nd of August. Sadly, John passed away in the hospital shortly after his birthday and he will be greatly missed. John was an engineer during his working years.
Phillip (left) and John (right)
Reading was a relaxing past time of his and in recent years, he enjoyed the tape aids.
John was married to Joan (Joanie as he affectionately called her) and was a loving and devoted husband. Joan was in our frail care unit and he would go to her room for his early morning tea so he would be there when she woke and he would tuck her into bed at night and wait with her till she fell asleep at the end of each day, before returning to his room to his music or books.
Poetry is also something he enjoyed and he could recite long beautiful poems which all the residents loved, as well as some rather funny, naughty ones which usually had the staff in fits of giggles. Last Christmas he was invited to lunch at King Fisher Crest as a guest of honour with the “Handy hands” group. I was lucky to attend the lunch and what a special time was had by all – John delighting his hosts with his stories and his poetry.
The quiz Monday at Kloof Rest Home is always a fun morning, and everyone wanted John on their team. His general knowledge was remarkable.
John has also been our Father Christmas each year at our Christmas party, bringing joy, laughter and Christmas spirit into our home. He enriched the lives of all of us at Kloof with his humble and non-intrusive way. We were all lucky to have met him.
John had a grateful and kind heart and always remembered to ask others about themselves. He loved people and was always positive and cheerful. He called me “girlie”, a name my dad called me, and I will personally miss him very much.
John was a twin and his brother; Phillip, also celebrated his 99th on the 22nd. Phillip lives in Johannesburg close to his family. I am sure the brothers must have been close to the oldest twin brothers in SA – if not the oldest.
We would like to wish Phillip a very happy birthday. May you continue to fill your days with what makes you happy.
We wish Jeanette, Phillip and their families our sincere condolences on the passing of John. He was a wonderful gentleman who was an inspiration to all of us. May he be dancing, reading books and reciting poetry with Joanie.