Noel Savage tragedy: Appeal for funeral costs for Brett’s ‘devoted dad’

A fundraising page has been set up to help Ards woman Dolores Savage pay for the funeral of her husband Noel.
By Philip Bradfield
Published 3rd Nov 2020, 17:59 BST
Updated 4th Nov 2020, 13:39 BST
The parents of Brett Savage, Noel and Dolores, at their son's coffin during his funeral in Newtownards. The 32 year-old-former Royal Irish Regiment soldier died by suicide after suffering from PTSD following service in Afghanistan. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISONThe parents of Brett Savage, Noel and Dolores, at their son's coffin during his funeral in Newtownards. The 32 year-old-former Royal Irish Regiment soldier died by suicide after suffering from PTSD following service in Afghanistan. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON
The parents of Brett Savage, Noel and Dolores, at their son's coffin during his funeral in Newtownards. The 32 year-old-former Royal Irish Regiment soldier died by suicide after suffering from PTSD following service in Afghanistan. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON

She told the News Letter last week that her husband had “died of a broken heart” two months after their only son, Afghanistan veteran Brett, 32, had died after losing his battle with PTSD.

It is understood he suffered a stroke 24 hours after his son’s funeral.

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Robert McCartney of Ards veterans charity Beyond the Battlefield paid tribute to Noel during his funeral service at S Clarke and Son Undertakers in Ards on Monday.

Brett Savage pictured at the Beyond the Battlefield office in Newtownards. Picture By: Arthur Allison.Brett Savage pictured at the Beyond the Battlefield office in Newtownards. Picture By: Arthur Allison.
Brett Savage pictured at the Beyond the Battlefield office in Newtownards. Picture By: Arthur Allison.

“Brett as a young man had done everything - he had lived three lives,” Mr McCartney said. “And the reason he was able to live three lives was because of the devotion of his mum and dad and his family. Brett was able to go through all the rigors of war and he came back.”

There was “still much adventure left in him” and Noel and Dolores sacrificed to help him travel the world and take part in mountaineering. His parents “tried everything to help him” but in the end the PTSD claimed his life, he said.

Photographs of Noel at Brett’s funeral two months ago captured the “pure grief” at the loss of his son.

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“Afterwards, Noel had said: ‘I need to go be with my son’ and from that day he was determined to be with him due to his devotion to him.”

A fundraising page set up to help Dolores cover the cost of Noel’s funeral says the family are “stuggling to pay for these costs”. See: https://www.gofundme.com/f/savage-funeral-relief-fund

Noel Savage ‘died of a broken heart’ two months after his veteran son, Brett, lost battle with PTSD

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Related topics:PTSDAfghanistan