John Savage recognized for Lifetime Achievement
DELTA, BC (August 31, 2009) Former BC Minister of Agriculture, Delta Municipal Councillor and President of the Delta Chamber of Commerce, John Savage, is being recognized for his lifetime achievement in contributions to farming, business and overall community in Delta and beyond. He will receive the Delta Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Hats Off gala dinner on November 13, 2009.
Mr. Savage, who is President of the Delta Farmers Institute, has also served in the past as head of B.C. Federation of Agriculture, Chair of the Cranberry Association, and as member of the B.C. Vegetable Commission, Delta Agriculture Society, Delta Municipal Agriculture By-Law Committee and the Save Delta Hospital Society.
The Delta Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors approves recipients of this prestigious award, and Board Chair, Greg Muirhead, says: “I can think of no more deserving recipient of this recognition by the business community of Delta than John Savage. He has been, and continues to be, an outstanding leader in his industry of agriculture, in the business community, in Delta and across the province. His influence is felt near and far. The story of his family is tied so closely to the growth and development of this area over more than 120 years. As we prepare to celebrate our 100th Anniversary at the Delta Chamber it seems so appropriate that a leader from one of our founding industries is recognized in this way. We are most fortunate to have John among us in Delta and among us as a Chamber member.”
The Savage family came from Ireland to Delta South in 1886. As the family grew and multiplied, farms throughout Richmond and Delta were established. Their Jersey cattle were amongst the finest herds in Canada. The Delta branch of the Savages progressed from a dairy farm to equipment dealership, a registered Hereford beef herd, plus extensive vegetable production for Royal City Foods, Fraser Valley Foods and Lucerne Foods, a division of Safeway. H.R. Savage and Sons was run by son Robert and helped by son Ken while son John was the Minister of Agriculture from 1986 to 1991. Retirement in early spring of 2006 saw the end of an era for this half of the Savage family.
The Delta Chamber of Commerce is a 400-member association of businesses in Delta acting as the voice of business locally, provincially and nationally, and providing discounted services, learning opportunities and business networking to its members.
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CONTACTS:
Greg Muirhead, Chair
Delta Chamber of Commerce
604-351-2920