Harold L. Savidge

Harold L. Savidge, 89 of West Chester, PA passed away Monday June 1, 2026, at Freedom Village at Brandywine where he resided for the final 18 months of his life.

He was the beloved husband of Lois Savidge (West) for more than 59 years.

Born December 2, 1936, in Hegins Township, PA, he was the son of the late Harry Savidge and the late Lillian Hepler Savidge.

Harold grew up in many historic Chester County homes as his father was a farm manager who worked for numerous local farmers in the area, including the former owner of what is now Chadds Ford Winery. Harold would recount the story of saving the barn from destruction when a hay wagon caught fire, using a farm tractor to move it safely away, and allowing the barn to survive and become the local gathering spot it is today.

 He earned his GED through the United States Air Force, from which he was honorably discharged in 1961.  In the Air Force, he survived a plane crash in 1956 near Mount Hope RCAF station in Ontario, Canada, and was also stationed in Ohio, Arizona, Alaska, Africa,  and England during his service.

He worked as a welder, trailer jockey, and truck driver for Gindy Trailers and then A. Duie Pyle, where he was hired in the original diesel mechanics’ shop and then drove many years for them. He later became a driving trainer who coached many of the drivers still on the road today. Harold had numerous trophies from the local driving competitions of A. Duie Pyle and went on to compete at the state-level tournaments. After 33 years with ADP, he “retired,” and then joined the Krapf Bus company, driving school bus routes for over a decade. He ended his work career by driving the transport bus for the Northbrook Canoe Company in summers. Harold enjoyed people and never wanted to stop working because of the great joy he got from talking to them, hearing their stories, and sharing his own.

His first priority in life was always to his family, children, grandchildren, and friends.

He was one of the original owners of a home in the Oak Hill neighborhood which was built in the late 1950s. This group of neighbors became as close friends as family. The Savidge backyard was always filled with neighbors who would barbecue, swim, ride minibikes and go-karts, and evenings would often end by getting ice cream in the back of his pickup truck. The neighborhood get-togethers provided many memories of laughter and forged lifelong friendships that continue to the present day.

Uncle Harold was the standard way of addressing him for hundreds of people. Well into his 80s, he could be counted on to blow snow from neighbors’ driveways, cut down trees from yards, and be available to anyone needing a helping hand. He had the honor of attending two grandchildren’s weddings in the past year and dancing well into the evenings.

In addition to his wife, Lois, Harold is survived by his children, DeeAnn Miklos (Steve); Richard Savidge (Luisa); Denise Savidge (Chuck Wiedenheft); Donald Savidge, (Amy); Dawn Savidge (Matt Trego); nephews Milo Jr., David, and Ronald; nieces Ruby and Diane; 13 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Paul and Claire, sisters Catherine, and Helen, son Theodore, and granddaughter Annie.

A celebration of his joy-filled life will be held in late September and friends and family will be welcome to share a story of love, laughter, and a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Department of Veterans Affairs

The family wishes to thank the staff at Freedom Village Brandywine, the Coatesville VA palliative care team, and the Penn Medicine Hospice caregivers for their phenomenal professionalism and care in his final days.

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181; www.DellaFH.com