Kenneth T. Savela

Kenneth Toivo Savela, 83, passed away, peacefully in his sleep, early November 28th , 2017, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. A native of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, he was born on February 8th, 1934 the son of Hilja Vellamo Paakkari Savela, and Toivo Wilhelm Savela. Ken graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1952 and the University of Vermont in 1956 (B.S. in Agriculture) where he was captain of the tennis team, a Sigma Nu Fraternity brother, and an ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) cadet.

Shortly after graduation he married Ann Claire Shaw on June 24, 1956, and they moved to San Antonio, Texas where Ken became a pilot for the United States Air Force, and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant. Before his departure he earned his wings and was promoted to First Lieutenant. Following his flying career, he returned to his wife's hometown of Stowe, Vermont with his first daughter, and worked for Barrecrafter's, selling ski racks, and other ski accessories. He and Ann purchased H.E. Shaw Company (aka Shaw's General Store) in 1966. Shaw's General Store was founded by Ann's Grandfather, H.E. Shaw, in 1895.

A distinguished athlete, he enjoyed golf and won numerous golf titles. He was an Eagle Scout, a member of the Stowe Rotary Club, helped organize the Booster Club and for decades was an active member of the Mount Mansfield Trout Club where Ann's Grandfather was a Founder. Ken was also a past member of the Stowe Country Club where besides excelling as a golfer, he was passionate about serving in leadership roles, and later became a member of The Country Club of Vermont in Waterbury, VT., and also of Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL..

Ann and Ken were featured as "one of the Top Business People in Vermont," being selected as cover story in Business People Vermont's December 2000 issue. Ann and Ken were recognized for years of service by the Stowe Area Association, which is Stowe's Chamber of Commerce, in 2005 near the time of their retirement. In 1995, they celebrated over 100 years of continuous business and family tradition.

Ken was content to step aside and pass Shaw's General Store onto the 4th generation of Shaw family. His daughter Anne-Marie and her husband Sal Vespa have carried on the tradition. After retirement, Ken and Ann first moved full time to Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and were members of the Sawgrass Country Club, then to Vicar's Landing, also in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Animals, domestic and wild, were always near and dear to Ken's heart. He could be seen feeding dogs, cats, birds and bears, just to name a few. No animal intimidated Ken; he loved them all. He also loved his morning cup of coffee. In Stowe village, in the 1990s, he turned his daily coffee routine into a social event, and thus The Flippers was born. When asked what The Flippers was, Ken would grin and remove  a quarter  from  his pocket saying proudly, "a group of us get together for our morning coffee, and we flip a coin to decide who pays; clever, isn't it?" Then he would giggle. The Flippers  still meet to this  day!

Ken is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Ann Shaw Savela, 4 daughters, Mary­ Ellin Doolittle of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL., Anne-Marie Vespa (husband Sal) of Stowe, VT. and Ponte Vedra Beach, FL., Heidi Nelson (husband Dave) of Wilmot, N.H. and Bridget Bridgman (husband Ted) of Wayland, MA. He also leaves behind 6 grandchildren, Alexander Stevens of Stowe, VT., Schuyler Stevens of Medford, MA., Benjamin Nelson (wife Emily) of Boston, MA., Heather Nelson Jefferson (husband Mike) of Richmond, VA., Teddy Bridgman of Boston, MA., and Taylor Bridgman, of Boston, MA.

In lieu of flowers, we suggest contributions  in his memory  could be sent to:

K9s for Warriors, a Veterans organization in St. Johns County, FL. (114 Camp K9 Rd. Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. 32081)

Or Jacksonville Humane Society,  (8464 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville,  FL. 32216)

Or any organization of your choice.

There will be 2 memorial services to celebrate Ken's life, one in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. in Vicar's Landing's Chapel at 11:00 a.m. on December 9th (reception to follow), and one in Stowe, Vermont, in the spring or summer of 2018.