LOWER MACUNGIE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Four generations of family gathered this Father’s Day to celebrate Paul Savary’s 100th birthday, honoring a century of life marked by service, sacrifice and devotion to family.
Although Savary’s actual birthday is June 25, his daughter, Deborah Varney, said the family chose to celebrate on Father’s Day as a way to recognize his role as a father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
“He was always a hard-working individual and just put family first and raised me that way. To get a career. Work hard at it and you will succeed,” Varney said.
For Savary, spending the day surrounded by family meant everything.
“I see a lot of happiness in the kids here. They’re enjoyable to watch,” he said.
Family has remained central throughout Savary’s life, including honoring the memory of his older brother, Charles Savary Jr., an Army private killed at age 19 on Aug. 30, 1944, during the Battle for Brest in World War II.
After his brother’s death, Savary, who was serving in the Navy, was kept out of combat under a military policy designed to prevent the last surviving son of a family from being sent into further combat.
Charles Savary Jr. was buried in France, where he was killed.
It took Savary more than 60 years to travel to France and visit his brother’s grave.
The trip was a deeply emotional moment for him and later led to him receiving medals and memorabilia in honor of his brother’s service.
Now nearly 100, Savary continues to be a regular presence at family events across the Lehigh Valley.
“He still comes to a lot of their sporting events, dance concerts, birthday parties, any type of celebration we can get him to,” Varney said.
Savary’s life has included military service, decades with family, and honoring those who sacrificed for their country.
As for his secret to reaching 100, Savary offered a simple answer: Belief.