Peter J. Savko, 87, of Shrewsbury and formerly of Auburn and Grafton, died peacefully on Sunday, September 29, 2013 at the UMass Memorial Hospital, following a period of declining health. Pete was born and raised in Worcester, a son of the late Peter A. and Winifred (Huban) Savko.

     He graduated from Commerce High School and following his return from World War II, he attended Worcester Boys Trade School, studying drafting. Pete then began what was a 40 year career with the Wyman-Gordon Company, retiring as a foreman in the Grafton plant. He also served as a member of the Grafton Police Department for many years. Pete was a natural athlete, whether it was any number of sports he played in high school, to being on the state championship softball team for Wyman-Gordon, or one of his favorite sports, playing golf. He scored a rare double eagle on the 9th hole at Green Hill Golf Course while playing in the Wyman-Gordon Golf league. Pete’s greatest passion was his family, but his second love was music. He began playing horn instruments as a young man, and he continued throughout his entire life. He was a member of several groups including the Peter Savko Quintet, The Peter Savko Orchestra, The Ragtime Rowdies and the Jolly Kopperschmidts. He never missed calling family members on their birthdays and playing happy birthday on the trumpet through the phone. Pete was also a proud veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He served in the US Navy during his deployments.

     As a veteran, Pete dedicated a lot of time to Veteran organizations and was a member of the Vernon Hill American Legion Post, the Disabled American Veterans of Worcester and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. For many years, Pete used his talents playing as a bugler for hundreds of veteran’s graveside services throughout Worcester County. He quietly donated most of those proceeds to veteran’s causes. Pete is survived by his loving wife of 5 years, Shirley (Paris) Parker Savko; his best friend and brother, Francis “Gus” Savko of Largo, FL; his beloved three daughters, Susan Went and her husband Walter of New Milford, CT, Dianne Lorenzetti and her husband Rico of Quincy and Dunedin, FL, and Meredith Brown and her husband Jeff of Bedford, VA; his two stepchildren Jamie Parker of Florida and Kenneth Parker of Oklahoma; his grandchildren whom lovingly called him “Grampy Toot-Toot,” Christopher and Rachael Mandella, Melissa Lorenzetti, Sarah Evjy and Katie O’Neil; his step grandchildren including, Al Grampetro, whom he raised as a son, Christine Guitarr, Erwin, Ashley and Michelle Parker; his great grandchildren, Jimmy, Nathan, Kaylynn, Keeley, Olivia, and Makenzie as well as several step great grandchildren; and his three nieces, Patty Savko, Lynn Arseneau and Francine Lyon.
    
     Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Pete’s family on Wednesday, October 2nd from 4-7 PM in the Britton-Wallace Funeral Home, 91 Central Street, Auburn. His funeral will be held on Thursday with the procession gathering at 9 AM at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 AM in the North American Martyrs Church, 8 Wyoma Drive., Auburn. Burial, with Military Honors will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the American Heart Association , 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.