Share your memories

James Adler · September 17, 2024 at 5:34 pm

Jim worked worked for my company when he first arrived in Boston. He was one of my most conscientious and honorable employees.

tom Savage · March 11, 2024 at 12:01 pm

Ahh man this is a horrible shock. In 2012 a mate and I were passing through Boston on a US road trip. We stopped in at JJ Foley’s totally by chance, and sat at the bar. We were talking among ourselves when the seemingly American barman who had served us came and sat on the other side of the bar, holding up a newspaper and pretending to read it like in a terrible spy film. After a second, he puts it down and out of nowhere asks us both: “Is that a Dallam accent?”

It took us by surprise, we didn’t suspect this fella was anything other than local Bostonian based on the few words we’d exchanged. And anyway, he was wrong. He was two miles out. It was a Grappenhall accent.

We obviously got talking and it transpired we went to the same school, albeit ten years apart. So he asked our names. My mate Dan’s didn’t register with him. So he asks me. “Tom Savage.” He almost fell off his chair. Demanded my driver’s licence for proof. Jim Savage and Tom Savage, both Warringtonians. We had to be related. Neither of us could work it out there and then but we stayed in touch and after a bit of head-scratching it turned out his great-great grandfather James was my great-great-great grandfather. Long-lost cousins.

I’d call him Uncle Jimmy, mainly because he hated it. I always hoped to make it back for another beer with him, but it’s not to be now. Such a shame.

RIP Uncle Jimmy, you were one of the world’s great barmen.

stuart · May 4, 2023 at 9:21 am

So sad to learn of this. Had no idea and just heard from my brother. Was a primary school friend of James, often at his house in Hobb lane, Moore along with his younger brother Akka and also often at the Wire with him and Uncle Terry.

Lou · January 30, 2023 at 11:53 am

You poured the best Guinness pint and told the most colorful stories. God bless u mate. See you on the other side.

Olly · January 30, 2023 at 11:53 am

I will miss you dearly, Jim. You were a huge part of my life for 20+ years. Rest In Peace my friend. I remember I asked you to take this picture of my last visit and you said NO! Haha. Won’t be the same without you brother.

Paula Weinburger (from legacy.com) · January 30, 2023 at 11:53 am

I have so many wonderful memories of Savage at Foleys. My condolences to his family in England and his JJ Foleys’ family.

Annemarine (from legacy.com) · January 30, 2023 at 11:52 am

Gonna miss you big time! R.I.P.!

Frank Dawson (from legacy.com) · January 30, 2023 at 11:52 am

Jim you were the “Best” without a doubt! Fond memories of our NOLA coincidences, twice! Rest In Peace my friend! Frank Dawson

David (from legacy.com) · January 30, 2023 at 11:51 am

Met Jim through his cousin in 2015. He brought us on a night out and was an absolute gent, buying us dinner. Loved his Irish roots. RIP Jim, David and Taryn, Mayo , Ireland

Chris (from legacy.com) · January 30, 2023 at 11:51 am

Can’t say enough about what a true gentleman Jim Savage was.

As a fellow UK expat, he made me feel at ease, brought a touch of humor to my day and the world has lost one of it’s best.

Rest in Peace, Jim.

Bill (from legacy.com) · January 30, 2023 at 11:51 am

I’m sure I’m not the only one from “Mayberry”…Jim made me laugh at ourselves and with him and touched so many patrons of jj Foley. BEST bartender of all but even a better person. Miss you jim..RIP Bill Cronin

John Foley · January 30, 2023 at 11:50 am

The best coworker and friend I could´ve ever asked for! Miss you sav

Mick Skidmore (from legacy.com) · January 30, 2023 at 11:50 am

It is so sad that Jim passed away. My wife Nancy and I always enjoyed our visits to JJ Foley’s and Jim’s quick wit and spicy rapport, even if he used rag on me for being a Cockney. We always talked about music and how lucky we are for having moved to the US. Jim will be sadly missed and a vist to the excellent Foley’s will never be quite the same again. Cheers mate, rest in peace

Paul (from legacy.com) · January 30, 2023 at 11:49 am

Very sad to see the passing of the best bartender I knew – we had a common interest in Rugby League – I am from Leeds and our office back door let out into JJFoleys parking lot – Jimmy was a great guy and our UnionvLeague and Yorkshire v Lancashire banter was always in fun- will miss his gregarious personality and sharpe wit – all I can say Jim is a great Thank you for all the fun we had with you and John, Dana and Jim -RIP my friend

Keith Dragon (from legacy.com) · January 30, 2023 at 11:49 am

I’ll miss you… Known you for 10 years or so… One of my favorite bartenders!!! Loved your sense of humor and musical knowledge!!!

Brandy Kincaid (from legacy.com) · January 30, 2023 at 11:48 am

Savage you will be sorely missed by so many! I´ll never forget meeting you at Foleys and how welcoming you were to out of towners. And then to have you come to Cleveland to visit and catch a baseball game! Love you my friend. May you rest in peace

John (from legacy.com) · January 30, 2023 at 11:48 am

Savage, You were the best of the best and will be sorely missed.

Jen M (from legacy.com) · January 30, 2023 at 11:47 am

James always remembered every “character” that came into JJ Foleys.. he was always welcoming with a bit of cheekiness. I always enjoyed his stories of his latest travel which he immensely enjoyed. Sad loss of a beautiful human.

Alex · January 24, 2023 at 2:00 am

I met Jim in Boston. It was my first night in the states and my friends and I went to a local pub where Jim worked.
He was an amazing host and immediately treated us like old friends giving us tips for the area and lifestyle.
I am deeply saddened by his death.

Lynda and Mark Zarrow · January 23, 2023 at 7:16 pm

Our daughter went to USC and we missed her, so being lonely parents, we’d often hang out watching football at JJ foleys, the Boston Alumni Bar for USC. Jimmy was the highlight of our visits there – always with a funny, wise-guy comment and a great story or two. He was charming, interesting and knew a lot about a lot of things. Here’s one day that sticks in my mind:
Jimmy greeted us, got our drink orders and asked for a credit card to hold at the bar. Strange as he never usually took our card and he knew us. While watching the game, there was a couple at the bar ordering shots, beers, chowder and apps. At one point the woman stepped out “for a smoke” and the guy “went to the bathroom”. Jimmy immediately realized they had skipped out on the tab. He flew out from behind the bar and ran around the block looking for them. He was mad! Said it was only the second time that had happened to him in all his years bartending. Of course we asked, “didn’t you have their card behind the bar?” Nope, he just had ours, the trustworthy middle-aged couple. Will will miss this great guy- his knowledge of sports and stories of his travels. A huge loss for the world.

Mike · January 20, 2023 at 1:53 pm

Ten years ago I met Jim and the vetting process began. He wasn’t too worried about his sister ( she’s more than capable of looking after herself) but he definitely wanted to check out I was good to be with the boys, his nephews. I’m figuring after numerous holidays together and being one of the intended executors of his will, I passed the test. It’s interesting how he dragged me into the doghouse- usually it involved a dive bar with canned beer and free shots or better still margaritas at 8.30 in the morning. The man had the biggest heart, the worst sense of humour and an encyclopaedic knowledge of any sport he took an interest in. He loved history and loved people’s stories. He has left a huge space in our lives that cannot be filled. We miss you Jim

donald · January 20, 2023 at 7:36 am

Still hard to believe you’re gone. I guess Discount Dave couldn’t find a bartender he liked so you got recruited for duty. But the world is quite a bit worse now, innit? Contacting Kevin Costner about remaking field of dreams so you can be at the ultimate baseball stadium. Until then, love you Savage.

Neil Dowson · January 19, 2023 at 3:41 am

Jim is a sad loss to us here in Warrington. He was an avid lifelong Wire fan. I always enjoyed our chats on all things rugby league and The Wire on his annual visit back home. Like me he was into his history of rugby league, especially The Wire. Jim will be sadly missed.

Robert O'D · January 12, 2023 at 12:31 pm

James thank you for introducing me to Karen it has been the best part of my life. We met years ago and had some great fun. I will miss you like the like the brother you were. I appreciate Elizabeth champagne and the fact that you beat me fair and square in chess once!! Only once!!! And you considered me an equal to a doctorate in physics to a buddy @ the MIT bar

Mike D · January 12, 2023 at 1:33 am

How lucky I was walking into J.J Foley’s in November 2013 having just taken a job in Boston. Behind the bar was a larger-than-life barman telling jokes and challenging guests with obscure trivia questions from his encyclopedic knowledge of everything sports. All delivered in a hybrid north of England/Boston accent with a big smile and a big heart behind it. That was Jim in his element! Within 5 minutes we figured out we grew up <15 miles apart in neighboring northern towns though totally unknown to each other. The more we got to know each other, the more we learned we had in common from those times. We were both at some of the same rock concerts in the Manchester Apollo, and the rock festivals at Donnington Park. We wondered whether we ever stood next to each other, though I never had the long hair he did at that age. We both grew up watching rugby, though much to his delight, and a source of endless jibes, different codes; him league and me union. We even both left the UK in the same year to come to the US; him to MA, me to CA. With our common background, we became good friends, and he was always great company. I will miss him tremendously, as will many, and remember fondly the many great times we had together, watching sports, drinking beer, laughing out loud. RIP Jim!

christine marshall · January 10, 2023 at 8:39 pm

Every time I saw Jim we would tear strips off each other. It was always, “battle of the wits” to see which one of us could say the worst, possible insult to each other in the most fun, humourous manner. Gotta love that British humour. 😉
He’d mimic my Manchester accent and call me Betty (from a popular Northern English T.V. show). He always made me chuckle and made me feel so welcome in JJ Foley’s. Jim, I’m gonna miss your quick witted, warped sense of humour. RIP Mr Sarcasm 🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇺🇸

Robert O'D · January 7, 2023 at 6:02 pm

I am so pissed that he WILL have the last word with me well played Savage
I will miss you

Robert O'D · January 7, 2023 at 5:29 pm

Thank you James , with your help I met and married my wife. I will miss your intellect and insults . I hope I gave as good as I Got.
We will miss you

Ray McDonald · January 6, 2023 at 4:00 pm

I will never forget Jim Savage, he was an amazing man and friend and just pure class. I was working at Charles Street MBTA station when I saw Jim and he introduced me to his parents probably two decades ago or so. As we watched several trains in a row heading to Cambridge he immediately said we know who to blame as he pointed at me for such horrible service as Jim and his parents waited 20 minutes for a train towards Park Street. Never forget over 14 years ago after my son was born that Jim invited all of us to come over and was a wonderful experience to see him in a social setting and we went up to his roof deck where we could see the train numbers as those same trains went by. Today is January 6 and I even received a post card from Jim as he always sent post cards to me any time he was away. Cheers big ears!!!! “I miss you already” as Jim would say!!!! My heart is broken and I’m lost without you mate.

Robin · January 5, 2023 at 10:15 am

Savage always gave me a hard time, in the most charming way possible. He could make me laugh like no one else, then make me feel awkward af a few minutes later. I spent many hours at Foley’s with my ex over the years, and garnered the nickname R.C. Lee a.k.a. “Arse-y” Lee. I already miss the big guy. Cheers, big ears x

Kurt Samowski · January 4, 2023 at 4:01 pm

What a devastating loss for all of us! Jim had the ability to make anyone who met him feel like an old friend. Whether it was a common bond with sports, (especially baseball) or a good ball-breaking joke to get things started, he always delivered a smile on your face. This man was a legend!

💔 RIP Savage.

Woody · January 4, 2023 at 3:56 pm

Had the pleasure of meeting Jim at a charity do once. He was surprisingly down to earth, and VERY funny.

Published by Matt Lee on January 4, 2023January 4, 2023

32 Comments