LEWISTON – Gerald Samuel Savitz Jr., 77, of Andover, Maine, passed away peacefully in the ICU of Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston, Maine, on Feb. 13, 2019, after a fierce battle against COPD, coupled with aspects of long standing cardiovascular disease. “Gerry” was born in Bristol, Va., to Gerald S. and Helen Sue (Whitaker) Savitz and raised in New Jersey. As a National Honor Society graduate of Middletown Township High School, he pursued further education, first at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va., completing his Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in biology, minoring in chemistry at Monmouth College, W Long Branch, N.J.

After a stint as a biological technician with the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Gerry made a career with the 17,000-acre-plus Monmouth County Park System, Monmouth County, N.J. There he worked as a principal park naturalist doing outdoor education/environmental interpretation, until becoming the system’s first executive director of Friends of the Monmouth County Park System, Inc. (the fundraising arm of the organization).

Always civic minded, he contributed to his post-retirement adopted community of Andover. He served on the Olde Home Day Committee, one year contributing the theme name of “Andover – Nature’s Playground.” Years back he hosted master gardeners from surrounding towns to judge Andover’s yearly garden contest. He also took a turn at serving as a town selectman.

Boating, saltwater fishing, kayaking, maintaining his pool, target shooting, listening to classical piano music, and touring in his MGB delighted him. Known for his sense of humor, it was said that he never forgot a good joke.

He married Andrea Bretz Savitz, on Oct. 25, 1969. He was predeceased by his parents and his only sibling, a younger brother, Donald. His loss is felt by his cousins; his large in-law family (including his brother-in-law, Dr. Philip J. Bretz and his wife, Veronica, of Peru, ME; his sister-in-law, Janice E. Bruce of Long Branch, N.J.; and nieces and nephews) and many friends who have experienced his good humor, generosity and kindness.

Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at www.meaderandson.com

Visitation hours at Meader & Son Funeral Home, 3 Franklin St., Rumford, Maine, will take place Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, 2-4 p.m. & 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, at the First Congregational Church of Andover, 23 Elm St., Andover, Maine. A reception will follow.

For those who would like to contribute, in lieu of flowers, please donate to:

Andover Service Circle

187 E. Andover Rd

E. Andover, ME 04226