The swimming pool and spa industry invites you to celebrate the monumental career of Lawrence Roy Savage — known to hundreds of colleagues, partners, and friends simply as "Larry" — as he prepares for his official retirement from Waterway Plastics in 2025.
Larry’s retirement as International Sales Director marks the conclusion of a professional journey that has touched nearly every major corner of the aquatic world, spanning manufacturing, pool and spa components and lighting technology.
A Career Built on Industry Giants
Before his defining years at Waterway, Larry built a formidable reputation through leadership roles at a "who’s who" of industry-leading companies and also founded his own sales group.
His diverse Expertise was forged through tenures at:
- Hayward Pool Products: Contributing to one of the world's largest pool and spa equipment manufacturers.
- Leisure Bay Industries: Where he played a key role as vice president in the expansion of the manufacturing, retailing and exporting of spas.
- Swim ́n Play Inc.: Here he increased worldwide sales to a new level.
- Pleatco Filters: Lending his expertise to the leaders in pool and spa filtration.
- Atec LED: Driving innovation in the evolution of modern LED pool and spa lighting.
The Global Ambassador of Pool & Spa
Larry was perhaps best known as the industry’s unofficial "Global Ambassador," colleagues say. His face was a constant and welcome presence at every major trade show around the world. From the halls of Piscine Global in Lyon to Piscina & Wellness in Barcelona, and across major events in France, the UK, across the U.S. and beyond, Larry’s "handshake" approach to business bridged cultures and continents.
"Larry didn’t just attend shows; he built the community," says a longtime industry associate. "From Lyon to Las Vegas, his name stood for a level of commitment, professionalism and friendship that is rare in today’s business world."
At Waterway Plastics, he utilized this global perspective to champion American-made manufacturing, ensuring that high-quality pumps, filters and jets reached every corner of the international market. Larry was there at the very conception of Waterways pool line and helped get it off the ground to become what it is today.
A Legacy of Integrity
Larry's career was defined by a rare combination of technical knowledge and genuine personal connection. Whether negotiating with spa and pool manufacturers or advising on new product engineering, he remained a steadfast advocate for the customer. He not only was a representative for a lot of excellent companies but he became a lifelong friend for many people in the spa and pool industry through his personal approach.
The Final Lap
As Larry steps into his well-deserved semi-retirement in 2025 from Waterway, he gains more time to spend with his new grandson while remains focused on helping current innovators in the spa industry. It is hard to keep a good man away from the industry he loves. While the trade show floors of Europe and the U.S. will feel a bit quieter without Larry’s presence at the Waterway stands, the standards of excellence he established at Waterway and throughout his career will serve as his lasting legacy.
