April 30, 1959 - May 7, 2023
Kenneth James (Jim) Savoy, of Elkford, BC, sadly passed away after a brief illness on May 7, 2023 at the Chinook Regional Hospital.
Jim was born on April 30, 1959 in Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick to parents Mary Sawatzky and Raymond Savoy, the first of six siblings. In 1963, Jim immigrated to Fitchburg, Massachusetts with his parents and three sisters. His two younger brothers were born there. The years in Massachusetts were difficult so Jim's mom found ways to give him positive experiences as a teen, sending him to New Brunswick to work in the summers and to stay with his Uncle Hank and Aunt Diane in Winnipeg. Shortly after the family moved back to New Brunswick in 1975, his father was killed in a car accident. This precipitated Jim's first move west, where he spent time with his uncles on the BC Coast.
In the early 1980s, Jim moved to Elkford, B.C. to work in coal mining. He met Kathryn, bought a home and grew their family to include their three daughters and labrador retriever Shelby. Jim was very proud of his home and the big yard with a fence he built with his mom's husband Mike, and the playhouse they built for the girls. For many Christmas seasons, he would write out holiday messages in lights on the fence - swearing the entire time.
For the last 17 years, Jim and his partner Maria lived in Elkford together. Jim retired from Fording River Operations and they moved to Lethbridge, AB in 2022. Jim spent 40 years working for mines in the Elk Valley. He obtained his millwright ticket when his girls were young, and then continued to progress to supervisory and management roles. He also was involved in mine rescue and earned many accolades during his time with Teck.
Jim loved music and movies - he attended many concerts in his younger years, and always had music or a movie on in the house. He tried bungee jumping, skydiving, and loved classic cars - his 1967 Ford Mustang was a prized possession and he attended many car shows with his Uncle Hank.
Jim is survived by Maria Cardoso, her children Aniessa and Ryland (Teddi-Jo) Bowen and grandchildren Tatum and Cullen; brother Tracey Savoy and sisters Brenda and Joanne Savoy; his daughters Alix and Karly (Phil) Savoy; uncle Hank; aunt Diane Sawatzky and cousins Tammy (Scott and Mason) and Shailos (Dan, Oliver and Archer) Sawatzky.
Jim is predeceased by his mother Mary Sawatzky and her husband Mike Picklyk, his sister Kimberly Savoy and brother Rick Savoy, his daughter Jillian Savoy, and beloved pets Shelby and Zoey.
At Jim's request, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.