Obituary of Joseph R.J. Savoie

Joseph R.J. Savoie, CMSG/USAF (RET) Joseph R.J. Savoie, CMSG/USAF (RET), 82, of Rome, died on Friday, November 29, 2013, at home after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Joseph Roger Jerome Savoie was bom March 4, 1931, in Central Falls, Rhode Island, son of the late Aza and Malvina Mondvill Savoie. He was educated in the parochial schools of Central Falls, Rl, and graduated in 1949 from Sacred Heart Academy. Joseph started working in the woolen mills in 1947, while attending high school. After graduation, in 1949, he went to work for the Corning Glass Works in Central Falls and remained there until September, 1951, when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. After his initial training, he was assigned to several posts in the United States - Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Vermont and Ohio. In August, 1954, he was assigned to South Ruislip, London, and subsequently, in November, to Prestwick Air Base in Scotland. On October 4, 1956, he married Margaret Dunlop in St. Margaret's Church, Ayr, Scotland. She passed away January 4, 2011. Joseph went on to serve a 30-year career in the Air Force, and retired in 1981 from Griffiss Air Force Base. His wife and family toured the world with him on assignments to Great Britain, North Africa, Europe, Japan and many bases in the U.S. He was a decorated war veteran, serving in Vietnam. Joseph was an avid genealogist, tracing family history back 15 generations. He was a self-published author of several books on genealogy of the Savoie clan. Joseph was a pioneer in the Family Tree Maker program, which later became Ancestry.com. Surviving are a son, Andrew Savoie, and companion Doug Reardon Jr., Rome, three daughters and two sons-in-law, Laura and Thomas, South Carolina, Linda Grace Weathers, Nebraska, Theresa and Robert Young, Arkansas, four grandchildren, Joseph, Andrew, Craig and Roger, four great-grandchildren, Alena, Paul, Avelyn and Sarabeth. Also surviving are a sister, Theresa, Rhode Island, and two brothers, RayJRhode Island, and Leo, Florida, lifelong friends Doug and Fran Swaim of N.C.. He was predeceased by a sister, Rita, and two brothers, Aza and Robert. The family would like to express a special thank you to Chris, of Rome, his companion and caregiver, nurses, doctors and staff of the Syracuse Veterans Hospital and satellite facility at the former Griffiss AFB. Special thanks to the Oneida County Sheriff's Patrol and all the neighbors whose watch, care and friendship saw our father through to the end, allowing him the utmost dignity and near complete independence to remain safely at home. Friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St., on Monday from 2-4 p.m. Entombment will be in Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com.