Philip Savvas Savopoulos

Savvas Philip Savopoulos, 46, Amy Claire Martin Savopoulos, 47, and their son Philip Savvas Savopoulos, age 10 of Washington, DC, died on May 14, 2015. They are remembered for their devotion to family and charitable efforts for the less fortunate. The deceased, and their housekeeper Veralicia Figuaroa, were found dead at their home in northwest Washington, DC.

Two daughters, Abigail Marie Savopoulos and Katerina Maria Savopoulos, were away at school at the time.

Savvas Savopoulos was born in Cheverly, MD on September 25, 1968. His parents, Philip and Gail Savopoulos of Washington DC and his sister Debra A. Masser and husband Jeffery William Masser of Sarasota, FL., survive them.

Amy Savopoulos was born in Brighton, MA on April 8, 1968. Survivors include her parents Colonel James Ashworth Martin, (U.S. Army, Retired) and Rhona Claire (Tully) Martin of North East, MD and her brother is Marine Master Sgt. Jon Joseph Martin husband of Tina (Grasso) Martin of Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

Philip Savopoulos, known as “Flip” by his friends was born in Silver Spring, Maryland on March 1, 2005. Philip, a student at St. Albans School for Boys, excelled at academics and was a sports enthusiast.

Savvas was the CEO of American Iron Works, Inc., (AIW) as well as CEO of Sigma Investment Strategies, LLC. He was a fifth generation Washingtonian and a descendant, on his mother’s side of Louis W. Du Bois, the founder of the Huguenot Settlement of New Paltz, NY, and “Patentee of the twelve.”

Savvas received his Bachelors of Arts Degree from the University of Maryland where he studied Business and Analytic Philosophy, and was a member of the Sigma Phi fraternity. Savvas obtained his law degree from American University. However, he preferred engineering and was known for having innovative ideas. On February 4, 2014 he was granted the patent for “Welder having a wireless receiver for remote control” Patent No. US 8642921 B2.

Savvas was a member of the Young Presidents Association, and was active in the organization. He and his company AIW received a personal commendation from the Secretary of Defense for restoration work at the Pentagon after the 9/11 attack.

Notable for his philanthropy, he was known for his leadership in and contributions to Starlight Children’s Foundation, Children’s National Medical Center, the National Child Research Center where he served previously as a board member, and St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

Savvas enjoyed numerous activities including martial arts, where he excelled in both knowledge and technical skill. Savvas was the current headmaster of a traditional style of Japanese swordsmanship dating to mid 1800's. His love for the martial arts started at the young age of seventeen and it was his dream to have a Japanese style center both in architecture and spirit of teaching traditional Japanese martial arts. This center, that recently opened, has about 2,000 square feet of mat space, two libraries, a kitchen, sleeping quarters and other amenities where live-in students can excel in their pursuit of the martial arts.

Most recently, Savvas assumed significant responsibility as a judge on the International Court of Appeals of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile in Paris, France. The FIA Court of Appeals is the final appeal tribunal for international motorsports. Savvas was unanimously elected to this position by the member nations of the Federation.

He loved the arts including the opera. Savvas was a member of the Congressional and Chevy Chase Country Clubs. He was a world traveler, a prolific photographer, and a skilled powerboat enthusiast. To his family and many friends, Savvas represented loyalty and devotion, integrity, compassion, and courage.

Amy was raised in a military family with her younger brother Jon, learning to be a citizen of the world and gaining important values that were reflected in her remarkable life as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, neighbor as well as an engaged community member. In her childhood she attended Department of Defense schools in Germany, as well as numerous Army installations across the United States.

Amy and Savvas married at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral on June 4, 1994. They were a devoted couple in love. This love was represented in their daughters Abigail, and Katerina, and their son Philip. Amy graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Economics from the University of Maryland and was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority.

For a number of years she was employed by CohnResnick Accounting. This was a far cry from her first paid employment—a job in the 7th grade where she had responsibilities on Saturdays cleaning rabbit cages for her science teacher who breed and raised show rabbits for national competitions. Many years later, Amy encountered one of the same breeder’s bunnies at her daughter's’ pre-school and this wonderful rabbit eventually worked its way into the Savopoulos’ heart and their family home.

Amy was an active volunteer in her children’s schools, and with her husband, in numerous charities and nonprofit organizations. Long known for her giving and selfless nature, she helped organize many community fundraisers and school events. She was a member of the Sulgrave Club for Women, a club intended for music, art and social gatherings.

Amy was a kind and thoughtful neighbor and hosted frequent neighborhood gatherings in her home. Amy enjoyed many activities including; golf, tennis, boating, and especially notoriously long family walks throughout Rock Creek Park with the family’s two Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.

Amy had the rare ability of spotting four-leaf-clovers even when she was not looking for them. Amy was a world traveler who loved gathering shells from beaches, touring monuments, visiting art galleries, and attending performing arts. Amy was extremely charismatic and had a huge heart. To her family and many friends, Amy represented the same loyalty and devotion, integrity, compassion, and courage as Savvas—values and behaviors they instilled in their children.

Philip was a fourth grade student at St. Albans School for Boys, and was known as a talented and fun loving ten-year-old, mature far beyond his years. Philip excelled at academics, was extremely knowledgeable and proud of his Greek heritage, and with his father’s help he was researching his mother’s ancestry. Philip was passionate about sports including basketball, baseball and motorsports. He had a comprehensive knowledge of the NBA, its players and statistics. His favorite player was Kevin Durant who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Philip played the outfield and third base for his Little League Baseball team.

Philip’s true passion was racing and going fast. He aspired to be a professional Formula-1 racecar driver and was a member on the Praga North America Karting racing team. Karting is the first rung for competitive racers worldwide. In his young career, Philip had competed at tracks near Jacksonville, FL, Indianapolis, IN and, Phoenix, AZ.

Abigail and Katerina doted on their little brother Philip. The three siblings took an active interest in each of the others lives and were always eager for opportunities to spend time together. Watching movies together was a favorite pastime. Most recently the three cuddled together to watch a favorite movie, “Finding Nemo.” This was a family that maintained an unusually close bond for each other and for those less fortunate.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at Joseph Gawler’s Sons Funeral Home, 5130 Wisconsin Avenue NW (corner of Harrison Street) Washington, DC on Sunday, May 31, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2815 36th Street and Massachusetts Avenue NW on Monday, June 1, 2015 at 12:00 noon. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in the names of Savvas, Amy, and Philip may be made to:

St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral (to benefit The Girls Orphanage of Lamia, Greece)

2815 36th Street NW

Washington, DC 20007

The National Child Research Center

3209 Highland Place NW

Washington, DC 20008