Birth date: Jul 30, 1957 Death date: Sep 28, 2023
James A. (Jay) Savopoulos died September 28, 2023 at his Lewes, DE home after a lengthy illness. Jay was born in Bethlehem, PA in 1957 to Michael and Nell Savopoulos. He lived in Florida and New Jersey before moving to Maryland a Read Obituary
My deepest condolences to Emily, Mathew, Elizabeth, David and all the other family and friends that knew and loved Jay.
Jay’s parents were friends of my parents as well as some of my aunts and uncles before either of us entered the world. Those prior relationships provided me with the good fortune of becoming friends with Jay and his family at a very young age. That friendship, which felt just like family, stayed strong both our entire lives. He along with my cousin Phil, another brother from another, spent so much time together over the last 60 years it is immeasurable how much we shared in all aspects of life.
As time passed and we went our separate ways in life, work, marriage, family, etc., we still always found time to see one another and enjoy the world together. He was infamous, in my mind, with his recollection of long ago past events in great detail. Earlier this year he recounted a story of us fishing on my cousin Phil’s dock South of Jacksonville on the St. John’s River. According to Jay, I had taught his kids how to relieve a severe headache from a fish one of the kids had just caught. He could barely stop laughing as he shared that story with me and then sent a picture to help refresh my memory.
While I feel like I have lost a brother, my heart crumbles at the thought of his loss to his family. My thoughts and wishes for his family on this day are especially strong.
I have also attached a picture from a little over a year or so ago when Emily and Jay came down to South Florida for a cruise. Jay, Emily, Jiaping and I enjoyed a great seafood dinner the night before their cruise.As always, he was in good spirits and we all laughed and shared as always.
Lastly I included a picture of Jay, Phil and I in St. Augustine relaxing on the patio after what I am sure was a long day of fishing.
Dear Emily, I hope that the beautiful memories everyone has shared about Jay’s. Outstanding life and kindness will give you and your family comfort. I’m very sorry for your loss. I know it’s devastating.
Sincerely, Terry DeMatteo
Jay was an awesome colleague! His quick wit and sense of humor would often send me away laughing even when the topic we were discussing may have been one relating to a particularly frustrating situation. Interacting with Jay was a joy and we have missed having him around the FDIC as he was a hard worker and could always be counted on to help and to explain processes he supported. I will be remembering Jay fondly and my prayers are for peace for his family during this difficult time.
Jay was definitely a finisher. He visited our home and jumped in to finish a task that needed to be completed.
One Sunday, he came with a cooler that had fish in it and shared a number of his catches of the day. That was just one example of his generosity.
He will be talked about often, recounting all the wonderful things he did for his family and friends.
Rhonda and Paul Nowacek
I will always remember Jay as a joker, a dedicated family man, a slayer of fish, and a sports fanatic. I loved hearing his stories of pranks, practical jokes, and the good old days when he could get away with things. My favorite stories he would tell were about grandpa McCoy. He would always make me smile and laugh. He cared a lot about me and our family, even though we did not have the opportunity to spend a lot of time together. I regret not spending more time with him or making time to come and visit more often. Though the times we were able to visit were memorable. His cancer was so tragic, and he was taken from us way too soon. Though I am grateful that his suffering is over. I wish he had more time to enjoy his retirement with his family while he had his health. So Jay, here is my tribute to you. I hope you are in a good place now. Your family is wonderful, strong, and you've contributed so much positivity to them over the years. They are your legacy. They will carry on, often thinking of you and your impact. Thanks for all you did and who you positively impacted. Rest well my friend.
What a wonderful tribute to Jay! He lived life as he thought it should be lived, and without apologies. Jay’s legacy will be his kindness, generosity, outrageous sense of humor, and his uncanny ability to spin a yarn on any topic or experience.
When we were growing up, I settled quickly into my role as “straight man” to his antics, and in spite of him being two inches shorter and just under two years my senior, I was ALWAYS proud to look “UP” to him as my “Big Brother”!
While this loss has left a hole in my heart, my faith and convictions allow me the belief that Jay is reunited with and surrounded by those whom he loved so much and preceded him into the afterlife. I can clearly envision the scene as it unfolded, when Jay baited the first few “hooks” of a “gollywhopper” that would be his masterpiece and detail the fantastic adventures he had experienced on his way to being reunited with them.
For each of us who knew him and loved to hear his stories, unfortunately, that one will have to wait for now. But when my time comes, I look forward to hearing all the tails about his new exploits and adventures, and being welcomed home by my Big Brother, Jay.
