The out of home industry mourned the tragic death of longtime executive John Savey. Police say he was murdered at his home in Florida late Thursday (July 30).
Savey, 61, was managing partner of Longview Outdoor Advertising. The company, founded in 2000, is based in Windermere, serving Central Florida.
“John Savey was a great guy,” recalled industry veteran Jim McLaughlin, who had worked with Savey. “He was widely known in the industry on both the traditional billboard side and the street furniture side.”
Savey held leadership positions at Signal Outdoor Advertising and Whiteco Outdoor Advertising. He earned a degree in advertising from Ohio University (1981), according to his LinkedIn page.
In Windermere, a next-door neighbor described John and Lisa Savey and their family as “the most precious human beings.”
The Orlando Sentinel provided this account of the crime:
A 10-year-old boy called 911 and hid in the bathroom of a Windermere home late Thursday while a bat-wielding burglar killed the child’s grandfather and uncle and seriously injured his grandmother, according to police.
The suspect, Ezekiel Emanuel Hopkins, faces charges of murder and aggravated battery, Windermere police Chief David A. Ogden said in a press release.
Hopkins, 34, was trying to steal a vehicle from the house when homeowners John and Lisa Savey, both 61, confronted him, Ogden said. Hopkins then attacked and killed John Savey and pursued Lisa Savey inside the house, police said.
Once inside, he attacked Lisa Savey and killed James Savey, who is the boy’s uncle and the son of John and Lisa Savey, police said. Hopkins beat all three Saveys with a bat, Ogden said. Lisa Savey survived and was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries, police said.
You can read the full article at this link.
My heart is breaking. In shock. John was such a caring man. Praying for Lisa and their family.
So hard to understand why bad things happen to good people. John was a loving husband and father. And, he loved the OOH industry. He will be missed.
Worked with John for a number of years in the Whiteco days.
What a tragic loss for so many.
Prayers for his wife.
I worked with John to plan for and install advertising bus shelters on Long Island and in dozens of communities along the East Coast. He was a caring man with empathy for people standing out in the rain and snow dependent on public transit. He was the best “boss” I ever had and gave me wide latitude to do my job. He was always good-natured and fair to his employees. I pray for his wife Lisa’s recovery and for consolation on the senseless death of their son James.
Truly a great guy this is really a tragedy prayers to the family. J.E. Andres
Such an awful tragedy, I cannot understand why senseless things like this happen. John was a kind man and I will keep his wife and family in my prayers.
Such a sad ending to this family’s story. You all are in my prayers.
I did not know John, but I did grow up in Ohio next door to his great grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. James Savey and family members Joe, Rita, Eddie and George They were a wonderful family. This news saddens me more than one could imagine. My prayers go out to his wife and family members.
shocking, the family will be in my thoughts and prayers!
John was a great customer of ours and a good friend. I pray his wife and grandson will be okay and justice will be served.
Our families have been friends since the late 80’s. We still are having trouble believing this has happened. John was one of the finest men that we’ve known. The Savey’s are about the most wonderful family you could know.
Our prayers and love for Lisa and all of their family.
Still grieving his family loss. John was my little brother@Beta Theta Pi .I lost a family member that day . RIP JS.