Nashua's Al Savage, shown being inducted into the Nashua Lions Club Legends of Holman Stadium Hall of Fame in 2020, passed away Monday at the age of 95. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – The Nashua youth sports community suffered a major loss on Monday with the passing of longtime youth benefactor and Elks official Al Savage at the age of 95.

Savage was a longtime chairman of the popular Nashua Elks Hoop Shoot, the famed youth free throw shooting contest that is also held on a state, regional and national level.

He also helped start Biddy Basketball in the city, plus also helped start the high school New Hampshire Decathlon and Heptathlon that is held annually in Nashua in mid-June. The NH Decathlon is the oldest high school decathlon in the country.

Savage, whose wife Marion passed away in 2019, worked with him on his many community endeavors that also included helping underprivileged youths. The Savages were named Citizens of the Year in 1981.

Al Savage was inducted in 2020 into both the Nashua Athletics Hall of Fame and also the Nashua Lions Club’s Legends of Holman Stadium Hall of Fame. He has received several other accolades over the years, including having two basketball courts named after him at Veterans Memorial Park on Ledge Street.

“Nashua Lodge of Elks Al Savage’s commitment to generations of Nashua area youth cannot be measured in mere words,” said Elks official William Grady on Monday. “It ensured precious family memories from sunny ballfields to stirring marching band competitions, a pair of new basketball shoes, the roar of the home stretch sprint or a delicious awards banquet meal celebrating another season with teammates who became lifelong friends.  Thanks, Al.”