Charlotte, NC - Ilion, NY - Mr. Ernest H. Savage, 88, recently of Charlotte, NC, and formerly of Ilion, NY, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 11, 2023, with his loving family and friends at his side. Ernie was born on September 1, 1934, and spent his early years on his grandfather’s farm in Redwood, NY. He attended high school in Syracuse, where he met his future wife, Janet Stickney. At 17, he joined the Navy where he learned the electrical trade. After his honorable discharge in 1955, Ernie returned to Syracuse where he married Janet on June 2, 1956. Ernie served as a patrol officer and diver with the Syracuse Police Department and from 1963 until 1979, he was a New York State Trooper. In 1965, Ernie and Janet moved their family to Ilion and lived happily on Marshall Avenue until Janet’s untimely death on April 9, 1988. They are survived by their children Michael Savage (and Cindy Bell) of Charlotte, NC; Sandra Savage Barnett of Ilion, Cynthia Savage Nicodemus (and Brian) of Dallas, Texas; and Pamela Savage Brownrigg (and Jeff) of McKinney, Texas. On October 24, 1994, Ernie married fellow widower Hazel MacKenzie, also of Marshall Avenue. Their blended family included Hazel’s children–Heather MacKenzie of Ilion, Scott MacKenzie (and Tina) of Herkimer, and Edward MacKenzie of Ilion. Hazel died in January 2022 after a long illness. Ernie visited Hazel at the Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Ilion every day until COVID closed the facility. After retiring from the Troopers, Ernie ran his own electrical company. He repaired many electrical services for friends and family in the Mohawk Valley. From 1980 until 1987, Ernie was employed by Ponderosa, Inc. and traveled throughout the northeast U.S. keeping their restaurants working. From 1987 until 2020, he was an electrical inspector, driving from Old Forge to Binghamton, doing inspections and giving electrical advice to contractors and homeowners. He was also a member of the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring with the rank of Sergeant First Class in 1994. In addition to his children and step-children, Ernie is survived by his brother, James Savage, of Fulton, N.Y. and a multitude of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces. Ernie was a life-long member of the Ilion Elks Lodge, as well as the American Legion and Masonic Lodge. Ernie loved his family, his country, breakfast with his many good friends, cars, and motorhomes. In keeping with Ernie’s wishes, there will be no public calling hours. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 16, 2023, at 2:15 PM in the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, 100 Otsego St. in Ilion. Interment will follow in Armory Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ernie’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association of the Mohawk Valley at https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/new-york/mohawk-valley-region or 125 Business Park Dr. #106, Utica, NY 13502. To leave condolences for Ernie’s family, please visit www.whiter-hendrix.com