Peter 'Pupsy' Savant

HURLEY, Wis. - Peter "Pupsy" Savant, 88, of Hurley, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019.

Peter was born on March 30, 1931, in Bessemer Township, Mich., a son of Bert and Adele (Frola) Savant. He graduated in 1949 from the J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley and was very proud to be a member of the 1949 Hurley Midget state champion basketball team. Pupsy had been twice inducted into the Hurley High School Hall of Fame. 

Peter proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from September 1952 to September 1954. He took pleasure sharing fond memories of playing baseball and traveling in various European countries.

Throughout the years, Peter worked as a bank teller in Chicago, owned and operated Porky's Bar in Hurley, did custodial work in Milwaukee and worked at the Ironwood Cleaners and Laundromat for 17 years. He retired in 2015.

On Nov. 20, 1967, Peter married Dolores A. Dixon in Bessemer, Mich. They enjoyed 30 wonderful years of marriage until her passing on Aug. 4, 1997.

Pupsy was a very humble man who was always willing to help out anyone at any time. He made friends with everyone that he met and will always be remembered for his quick wit and happy-go-lucky attitude.

Peter is survived by two sisters, Mary Lou Karwowicz, Warren, Mich., and Rose Dollar, Hopkinsville, Ky .; numerous dear nieces and nephews; and many special friends, including the Pallin family, Steve, Sue, Josh, Kyle and Rachel and Patti Johnson.

Besides his loving wife, Dolores, he was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Joe of La Crosse, and Tony of San Francisco; two sisters, Julie Gajos of St. Clair Shores, Mich., and Grace Steagerman of Detroit; and a beloved niece, Joan Karwowicz of Warren.

Visitation will be Monday, Oct. 14, from 10 to 11 a.m., in the St. Joseph Family Room at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 108 S. Marquette St., in Ironwood, Mich. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Binu Joseph, celebrant.

Rite of Committal and interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood, with a flag presentation, followed by a luncheon at the Elk & Hound Restaurant in Ironwood.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, Mich. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.