John "Jack" Pavia

06/28/2004

John "Jack" Pavia, 61, of 1498 Main Road, Stamford, Vt., formerly of Savoy, died June 28 at home following a long battle with cancer. He was a longtime general contractor and was active in civic affairs in Savoy. Born in Springfield on Jan. 20, 1943, son of Philip and Elsie Aveyard Pavia, he was placed in foster care and raised by Florence Peabody in Savoy from age 3. He attended Savoy schools and graduated in 1960 from the former Adams Memorial High School, where played varsity football. He enlisted in the Air Force and took basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He received a medical discharge because of knee injuries. Mr. Pavia owned Pavia Construction, specializing in the building of modular homes. He erected hundreds of homes in the Berkshire area, including several in Savoy and for his daughters. In the mid-1970s, he became involved in a small excavation business with his brother-in-law, Robert Maynard of Savoy. He also had worked as a logger, for Puffer Construction and, in 1963, at GE in Pittsfield as a troubleshooter in the crane department. He also had owned the former Spruce Grove Lounge, a popular night-spot featuring live bands. He was baptized in 1979 as a Jehovah's Witness and, in 1986, appointed as an elder in the North Adams Congregation, where he had continued as a minister. He had been a town assessor, road superintendent and selectman, and a member of the Savoy Volunteer Fire Department. He leaves his wife of 41 years, the former Marlene Maynard; three daughters, Julie Pavia and Laura Underwood, both of Savoy, and Amy Dolle of Stamford, with whom he had resided; three sisters, Barbara Brock and Rose Marie Pavia, both of Springfield, and Gloria Martin of Zanesville, Ohio. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A private graveside gathering for John â€˜Jack' Pavia will be held at the old Cherry Hill cemetery in Savoy. Condolences may be sent to Marlene at the home of her daughter, Amy Dolle, 1458 Main Road, Stamford, VT 05352. Donations may be sent to benefit the Savoy Volunteer Fire Department, 17 Center Road, Savoy, MA 01256. He also leaves his mother-in-law, Althea Maynard; sons-in-law, Scott Underwood and Charles Dolle; brother-in-law, J. Reginald Martin; niece, Lisa Bock, nephew Craig Martin and grandniece and grandnephew Rachel and Andy Bock. He will be remembered as a loving husband, a compassionate and devoted father and an exemplary spiritual shepherd. He dearly loved all the brothers and sisters in the congregations. "Precious in the eyes of Jehovah is the death of his loyal ones," Psalms 116:15.

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