D. Thomas Savas

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D. Savas Obituary

DALLAS, Texas - D. Thomas Savas, retired Senior Vice President Corporate Relations for Newport News Shipbuilding, died on July 20 at his home of Dallas, Texas.
A graduate of The University of Wisconsin, he served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945. He was a guest lecturer of Comparative Industrial Relations at Merton College Oxford University, guest lecturer of labor relations at Columbia University, Harvard Graduate School of Business, The University of Virginia, M.I.T., The Wharton School of Business and Johns Hopkins University. He was appointed to the Mary Baldwin College of Advisory Board of Visitors, a member of The American Academy of Social and Political Science, Shipbuilders Council of America, the Advisory Council of Environmental Health, the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce and a member of Who's Who in America. He also held the honor of lifetime member of Bodleian Library at Oxford University.
A pioneer for change, he implemented ideas in labor relations, employee health and safety, employee education and training, leadership development, and access to nationwide centers of excellence in medical care for all employees. The effects of these changes continue to influence the lives of the Shipyard employees who meant so much to him.
Throughout his extensive career and life, he believed 'family always comes first.' An outstanding golfer and passionate about the sport, he won many titles and tournaments throughout his life. He was a man who truly enjoyed life, deeply instructed and followed high undoubting purpose.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Irene; sons, Dean and Marc Savas; daughter, Jolie and husband, James Slaton; and grandchildren, Caroline and Pierce.
A memorial service will be held in Newport News in September. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Press on Aug. 10, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for D. Savas

12 Entries

Bill Ellison

August 29, 2008

I've had the great privilege to play many rounds of golf with Tom @ Hammock Dunes. He has always been an inspiration and our times together will never be forgotten. He will be in my thoughts forever.

Teresa Shafer

August 13, 2008

I knew Thomas Savas through his daughter, Jolie, meeting him the first time at her wedding to Jim. I immediately was drawn into conversation with him as he was vital, bright and warm. My nephew served on the Enterprise and I told him about my friend's father who was the CEO of Newport News Shipping, the company that built the Enterprise. I later asked Mr. Savas if he could pass on a bit of trivia about the Enterprise that only he might know, so that I could share it with my nephew, who was just one of 6000 men serving on the ship. He was more than generous and I am sure that Anthony, who himself is an earnest, bright and idealistic young man and who never met Thomas Savas, felt a connection to him. I don't know all of his children, but have always heard wonderful things about Mr. Savas from his daughter, Jolie, who held him in highest regard. He was a family man, to be sure. I feel fortunate to have known him, if even for a short period of his long life.

Pamela Eley

August 12, 2008

Marc, I'm so sorry to hear of your father's passing. I had the pleasure of his presence only a few times, but there isn't a moment I'll ever forget. What a life force he was! I know you'll miss him, as I miss my own father who passed away a couple of years ago. But let me assure you that the memories of cherished times together will never fade.

Robert Mitchell

August 12, 2008

Tom was a wonderful person and a great golfer. I knew him at JRCC and played golf with him many times. I will always remember the stories he could tell and enjoyable times with him. He had many talents and was a treasure to JRCC while living in this area. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. He will be missed by us all.

Phil Gregg

August 11, 2008

Tom was truly one of a kind,I only knew him socially but what a pleasure it was to be in his arena .Lots of fond and ever lasting stories and memories .My condolences to his family

Bill Welch

August 11, 2008

Tom was an extraordinary boss. He demanded much, but he was generous in rewarding those who responded positively. I learned much from Tom. NNS employees and retirees benefited greatly from Tom's Human Resources Leadership. Our prayers are for Tom and our paryers and condolences go to his wife, Irene, and his family.

Chris Zambas

August 11, 2008

Our condolences to Tom's family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of grief.

Loney Nunemaker

August 11, 2008

Tom will be missed by those who knew him professionally and socially. I worked for him indirectly and found him to always be fair but always asking for our best effort and we all learned from him. When he retired, I told many employees that his fight to keep good benefits for the empoyees of NNS would be missed. My condolences go out to his family.

Jim Wallace

August 11, 2008

Farewell to a mentor and great friend. I had never known anyone like Tom before, and don’t expect to again. He lived life wide open, on his own terms. He could be tough and demanding on himself and others, but I wish that anyone who saw only that could have seen the great humor, applied keen intellect, empathy for working people, and acts of kindness and concern toward people in distress that I, and others who worked closely with him, saw often. I will never forget the opportunities and challenges he gave me, important things I learned from him, and many laughs and good times. I hope he is on a beautiful tee somewhere, his half-smoked Vantage lying on the fringe, getting ready to hit another rocket. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Irene, Jolie, Marc, and Dean, and your families.

Loretta Greene

August 10, 2008

Sunday, August 10, 2008
Marc & Family - I send my deepest condolences to each of you at this time of sorrow. He was the most outstanding official I have ever known at Newport News Tenneco. He was definitely 100% for the betterment of his "Shipyard Family". I surely missed him after his retirement.
Marc, it was a pleasure working with you at the clinic (X-ray) during your summers away from the
University. Please let me hear from you as I will include my e-mail address. i would like to attend the memorial in September.
Loretta Greene, Gloucester, VA
E-mail - [email protected]

WILLIAM O'NEILL

August 10, 2008

I met Tom in New York in January 1973 where he offered me a job at the yard as CFO. We hit it off immediately spending the day talking about the yard, and drinking many scotchs at the Marriot bar. As former Navy, and being ready to leave ITT I accepted.
Tom was a great friend, we did not always agree, but without reservation he was the best HR executive I had the pleasure to serve with. I will always treasure those wonderful memories of Tom and his family.

John Helfrich

August 10, 2008

Tom Savas was a Mentor, Friend and instrumental in developing so many people who worked for and with him. He had a deep love for the Newport News Shipbuilding "family" and I know he always held those years during which he was a senior executive at "The Yard" as the best of his life. Our deepest sympathy to his wife, Irene, and to his family. He was a special person.

John A. Helfrich
Stratham, NH

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