James A. Savopoulos, outdoorsman, FDIC retiree
James A. (Jay) Savopoulos died Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at his Lewes 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 and graduating from Dulaney High School in Cockeysville, Md., in 1975. Jay acquired a bachelor’s degree in political science from Loyola University in 1981, before completing his education with an MBA from University of Baltimore in 1985. He lived in Howard County, Md., and worked as a senior financial analyst for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in Arlington, Va., until his retirement in 2017.
Jay was an avid outdoorsman for all his life. He spent as many afternoons as possible in the company of friends and family aboard his boat, Blind Side, an homage to his partial blindness. Rockfish all throughout the Chesapeake Bay trembled at his approach, and there was always a rod and reel close at hand in case he spotted baitfish or diving birds. He and his family also enjoyed hiking extensively throughout the Appalachian Mountains or camping along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
A lifelong Orioles fan, Jay could be found at Oriole Park in Camden Yards often throughout the summers, and the radio broadcasts provided the backdrop to many a summer’s evening in the Savopoulos household. The successes of the 2023 team provided him solace during his final months.
In his retirement, Jay enjoyed the opportunity to travel extensively, taking journeys to places as far-flung as Alaska and Panama, or finding solace closer to home on visits to Virginia or the Carolinas. A 2018 trip to the Savopoulos ancestral home in Greece was a particularly joyous one for him.
Jay will be remembered by all those who knew him for his selfless nature and boundless enthusiasm for entertaining. Family and friends would be treated to delectable meals off his venerable Weber grill and sent home with copious leftovers, regardless of their polite and heartfelt attempts to decline. His specialties included blackened salmon, served at weekly salmon Sunday dinners with his family and friends, and grilled turkey, a tradition at many years of Savopoulos Thanksgivings.
Jay willingly shared his life philosophies with everyone he knew and encouraged all to be a finisher and always be a giver and not a taker. He was the consummate giver all his life.
Jay is survived by his wife of 35 years, Emily (Rodowsky); his son, Matthew (Brittany); his daughter, Elizabeth; his brother, Harry David (Camille); and a large extended family.
A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 4, at Konstantine's Greek Taverna in Highland, Md.
Final care has been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Visit Jay's Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
