Francis Savage
Francis William Sigvart Savage, of Canmore AB, went home to heaven on August 2, 2023, at the age of 82. He passed away from heart failure.
He was born on October 22, 1940 in Rimbey, AB. Predeceased by his parents, George and Selma Savage, he is survived by his sister Lorraine (Ron Hickok) and family including numerous nieces and nephews, and his three daughters, Pamela, Tamara and Deborah (Michael Morrison) as well as his grandchildren Jordan, Grace, Maria and Kurtis, Ryan, and Christopher and great granddaughter Violet.
Growing up in Sundre, AB., Francis lived above the family bakery. As a child, dad always knew he wanted to live in the mountains – so he made his dream come true, moving first to Banff in 1959 where he attended school at the Banff School of Fine Arts. He eventually settled in Canmore where he spent endless hours in the outdoors hiking the trails and touring the area with friends, especially after church on Sundays. He worked for a time for Brewsters in Banff where his love and knowledge of the area continued to grow. He spent over 40 years of his life working for Burnco where he always said he was more than just a number. He reluctantly retired at the age of 78. Dads’ talent for drawing also spilled into his work at Burnco - You can still find a concrete road block with dad’s drawing on it in the area.
Francis is best known for always having a pen in hand - since the early age of two when his mother gave him that first opportunity to draw. (She gave him a scrapbook and a pen – from that moment on his natural gift to draw began). He’s known locally for his realistic drawings and oil paintings depicting local landscapes and his architectural drafting & designs and his love of photography. Dad generously handed out thousands of sketches over the years – napkin drawings included ! Dad was also a talented singer. He was part of a quartet, and he sang many solos in Church on Sundays. For those who knew dad well, they would say he had the most jubilant laugh and he always had a story to tell. Of all his many talents and gifts, he was most fond of his family but above all else, dad dedicated his heart to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He generously donated his time, energy and resources to help others in need. He also spent numerous hours documenting and writing his family history and life story so it could be left behind as his legacy.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 1:00 pm at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, 709 - 7th Street in Canmore. Interment will take place at a later date in the family section in the Bergen Alberta Cemetery.
