Gary R. Savander, 71, of Hamilton passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 18, 2015 with his loving family by his side. Gary was a devoted and loving husband to Lois for 49 years, and an adoring father and grandfather. Born in Trenton to the late Adolph and Ida Mae Taylor Savander, he was a resident of Hamilton Township for most of his life. A graduate of Ithaca College, Gary started his career as a physical therapist at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in W. Orange and then Director of Restorative Services at Mercer Medical Center in Trenton. In 1978, Gary left Mercer and was an original founder of Hamilton Physical Therapy Services, a leading provider of PT to this day. During his career, he was very active in the American Physical Therapy Association, serving as President of the NJ Chapter, as well as serving on many committees on the national level. Gary was also appointed to the NJ State Board of Physical Therapy for eight years. Gary treasured his family and relationships with a wide circle of dear friends. He had a passion for life and all it had to offer, and he never stopped learning. We all benefited from his ambitions, and the inspiration he brought to our lives. He relished in 'creating something out of nothing' by honing self-taught, woodworking skills. Over forty years, he built numerous pieces of furniture, as well as jewelry boxes, bar tops, mantles, a cupola, and even a drift boat. As an avid outdoor sportsman, Gary's hunting and fishing expeditions spanned coast to coast, from hunting in British Columbia, South Dakota, and Maine, and salmon fishing in the Olympic Peninsula of Washington, to big game fishing in Bimini and giant tuna fishing in Prince Edward Island.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Lois Yansick Savander; his daughter, Kimberly A. Peterson and her husband, Kevin of Moorestown and his grandchildren Bryce and Elise Peterson. He is also survived by his son Brant Savander of Dexter, MI; his sister, Donna Haye of Mays Landing; his sister-in-law Diane Robbins and his very special friends, Fred and Mary Ann York of Hamilton.

Funeral services for Gary will be held Friday, April 24th at 11am at Peppler Funeral Home, 114 S. Main St., Allentown, NJ. Interment will follow at Bordentown Cemetery in Bordentown, NJ. Calling hours will be held Thursday from 6 to 9pm, and again Friday, 10am until the time of service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Gary's name may be made online to the Kidney Cancer Association, www.kidneycancer.org, or mailed to Kidney Cancer Association, PO Box 803338 #38269, Chicago, IL 60680-3338. For directions or to send the family a condolence message please visit www.pepplerfh.com.