John B. Savoy

John B. Savoy 1921-2013 Ludlow- John B. Savoy, 91, of Ludlow, passed away on Monday, April 22, 2013. Born in Springfield on June 24, 1921, he was a graduate of Cathedral High School in Springfield and after high school, took a job as an apprentice Gunsmith at Smith and Wesson. After the US entered WWII, he enlisted in the US Army (Air Force), training as a Combat Radio Operator in B-24's. Upon completion of training in early 1944, he and his crew flew to England to join the 487th Bomb Group of Eighth Air Force in Lavenham, England. After 11 successful missions, he survived a crash on July 20th, 1944, that cost the lives of 8 of his crew. After this, John became an instructor at the base Combat Radio Operators School. After the War, he married Mary Rita Methot, of Indian Orchard, MA, and began his career at the US Postal Service as a mail carrier, gradually working his way through several jobs in the USPS until retiring as the USPS Safety Inspector for Western MA. After retirement, throughout his next 30 years John pursued his love of singing, working with groups like the Melody Boys as well as solo performing at many nursing homes, retirement centers, assisted living centers and his favorite, the Holyoke Soldiers Home. His wife Rita predeceased him in 1998, and he has finally rejoined her as well as his lost crewmates, his mother Sarazine and father Germaine, 2 sisters Tiola and Yvonne, and 8 brothers Eddie, Edwin, Wilfred, Tony, Art, Pete, Louis, and Danny. He is survived by his four children: Carole Savoy of Petaluma, CA, Jim and his wife Mary Savoy of Sparks, NV, Tom and his wife Eileen Savoy of West Springfield, and Pat Corjay of Ludlow, MA. He also is survived by two granddaughters, Natalie and Emma, as well as three grandsons Jason, Jonathan, and Benjamin. He is also survived by his brother Phillip, of CT. After his air crash in 1944, he looked at every day as a gift. After many, many years of gifts, his usual reply to the question, "How Are You?" was always, "Never Been Better!" A perfect response to an amazing trip. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 27th at 9am in The Community of St. Elizabeth in St. John the Baptist Church, 181 Hubbard St, Ludlow. Internment with his wife Rita will follow at St Aloysius Cemetery, 1273 Berkshire Ave., Indian Orchard. Donations may be made to the Holyoke Soldier's Home Activities Fund, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke, MA 01040. For further information please visit Ratellfuneralhome.com. Ratell Funeral Home 413-543-3836