Jeffrey Scott Savage

Jeffrey Scott Savage, 66, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving friends and beloved cats, on May 24, 2026, after a brief illness. He was laid to rest on June 12, 2026, at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park.

Jeff was born on April 8, 1960, at Watsonville Community Hospital to Paul E. Savage of Texas and Mary (Olds) Savage of California. Larger-than-life, Jeff was known for his charisma, quick wit, and remarkable ability to connect with people.

A 1978 graduate of Watsonville High School, Jeff was fascinated by cars. His interests centered on French, British, and other European marques, but his enthusiasm extended to virtually every vehicle ever built. What began with his first car - a 1974 Ford Capri during high school - grew into a lifelong pursuit of collecting, researching, and celebrating automobiles. Jeff immersed himself in every aspect of motoring history, developing an encyclopedic knowledge that impressed friends and enthusiasts alike.

In 1992, Jeff founded AutoPhyle, a magazine dedicated to the unique, obscure, and often-overlooked stories of the automotive world. Known for its thoughtful and detailed articles, the publication reflected Jeff's deep appreciation for automotive design, engineering, and history. He took great pride in sharing his knowledge and especially enjoyed hearing from readers who shared his enthusiasm.

Jeff's mind was often compared to a Rolodex of automotive information. Mention any vehicle and he could tell you its history, specifications, production details, and even the paint colors available from the factory. It was this wealth of knowledge that earned him the affectionate nickname "Boring Jeff" when he became a radio host on KSCO. Of course, those who knew him understood that he was anything but boring. Embracing the joke, Jeff carried the nickname onto his radio program, The Driver's Seat.

Jeff remained deeply involved in the automotive community throughout his life. He was a regular attendee at local car gatherings, particularly the Saturday morning Cars and Coffee events in Watsonville and BMW club meetings in Moss Landing. He belonged to numerous automotive organizations throughout the Bay Area and was a familiar face at some of the nation's premier automotive events, including the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, as well as races at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and Sonoma Raceway.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Mary Savage, and his uncle, Ennis. He is survived by his sister, his niece, and his nephew.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2026. For details, please contact 831-334-7877.

In lieu of flowers, Jeff requested that memorial donations be made to SPCA Monterey County, P.O. Box 3058, Monterey, CA 93942 or Jacob's Heart Children's Cancer Support Services, 567 Auto Center Dr., Watsonville, CA 95076 with the notation: "In Memory of Jeffrey Savage"

Though Jeff's garage held many treasured automobiles, it was his friendship, humor, and passion for sharing knowledge that left the greatest impression on those who knew him. His love of cats and his wonderful, warm smile will continue to bring tender memories. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by family, friends, and fellow automotive enthusiasts.

Published in The Pajaronian · June 30, 2026