James Howard Havasy
June 15, 1945-March 09,2021
James Howard Havasy was born on June 15, 1945 in Quantico, Virginia. He was the fourth son of Virginia and Steve Havasy, who eventually settled in Falmouth, Va.
Jim had an early and abiding love of the sea even though he spent most of his career on land. He graduated from the Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy in 1967 with a B.S. in Marine Engineering. While at Kings Point, he worked aboard the world’s first nuclear-powered merchant ship N.S. Savannah.
Jim entered the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1962, after high school as an enlisted man; he was honorably discharged in 1975 with the rank of Lieutenant. He served in the Merchant Marine during the Vietnam War (from 1967 through 1970) as Second Assistant Engineer for Grace Line, Inc.
His first position after service was with P.E.P.C.O. at Potomac River and Dickerson Stations as Assistant Superintendent. In 1975, he took a position with Wisconsin Electric as the General Superintendent of their Oak Creek Power Plant. It was in Wisconsin that he met his future wife of 44 years, Mary (nee Niedzolkowski).Together they had, sons, Richard and Robert; daughter, Teresa Alley (Robert Alley, Jr.); and now grandsons, Connor Alley and Tyler Alley.
In 1981, Jim and his young family moved to Johannesburg, South Africa where he worked for E.S.C.O.M. as a Consultant/Senior Engineer in the maintenance of turbines. The family spent four years in Africa, returning to Virginia in 1985. Jim was by then recognized throughout the industry as an expert in turbine & boiler operations. He established a successful independent consulting operation, J.H.H. Enterprises; in 2001 Dominion Electric (one of his clients) offered Jim a staff position, where he stayed until his retirement in 2012. With Dominion, Jim worked in the Power Generation Operations Excellence Group at Innsbrook in Richmond, VA.
Jim’s love of the sea was lifelong. He remained active in the Richmond chapter of the Kings Point alumni association. He spent four years sailing around the world, and his vacation plans always centered around Maritime Museums and close proximity to water. Fishing for Jim was not about catching fish. It was about spending time on the water with loved ones.
Jim died of lung cancer on March 9, 2021. He is survived by his wife Mary; sons, Richard and Robert; daughter Teresa Alley (Robert Alley Jr.); and grandsons, Connor Alley and Tyler Alley; his brothers, Richard “Dick” (Judith), Gerard (Geraldine), Charles (Susan), Fred (Mary); and sister, Sophia (Alisa Kline); and sister-in-law Linda; as well as cousins, nieces and nephews and Mary’s extended family.
He is predeceased by his mother, Virginia Persons Havasy; farther, Stephen Edward Havasy; and brother, Stephen (Linda) Havasy
He was well loved and will be missed.
Love you Dad.
Beautiful tribute to an amazing man and uncle. So grateful to have had Uncle Jim in our lives. He will be missed.
What a wonderful tribute! Jim will be missed.
Sending love to you all, and I am so sorry for your loss.
Dear Mary & Family,
We are so sorry and sad about Jim’s passing. Our spring trip to visit kept getting postponed due to a lack of the vaccine.
We have many, many good memories of Jim and our best to all.
Jerry & Geraldine
A great tribute to a great man. Sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family.
Jim will be missed by many. He was a mentor and a friend!
It was a pleasure and a privilege to have worked with Jim. If ever there was a professional working in his giftedness it was Jim. He made a real positive difference in the circumstances and people he was involved with.
Jim was a friend and assistant to all. He will be sadly missed. Condolences to the family.
I love you, Dad, and I miss you.
Beautiful tribute to my cousin! We are missing you, Jim. Continued prayers for all of you. Love, Linda
We are so sorry for your loss. Keeping all in prayer for comfort and strength during this sad time.
On behalf of the family of Natalie Lieberman Chasen we send our sincere condolences.
Jim was a classmate and shipmate during our time aboard the N/S Savannah. He was a good friend and great company. Jim was always good for a sea story or two over a beer during our alumni meetings or impromptu luncheons with our classmates. He’s going to be sadly missed. RIP, my friend.
Dear Mary and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
We send our love to you and all the family Our hearts are with you all at this time of sorrow
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY IN THIS SAD TIME.
This is such sad news. Jim and I went to Montfort Academy for 8 years and then to SHS for another 4. He always had a smile. We were together with others in high school in the CYO every Sunday. So many wonderful memories. I saw him last at our 50th reunion and we danced together. While we did not see each other often through the years since, I still think of him as being here. God bless all his family.
We are so sad to learn of Jim’s passing! We remember him with great fondness from our younger days growing up and participating in CYO at St. Mary’s church in Fredericksburg. We send our condolences and love to his family.
What a shortened life here on Earth but, based on his devotion and service while here among us, he gave it his all, both family and career. I taught Charlie at SHS and knew Mrs. Havasy very well, especially as the Registrar in Stafford County. What an outstanding family in which James grew up and was formed by church, home and school for his stellar life. I remember the children so well as storybook model young siblings. My sincere sympathy. He has left his footprints on this community in such a way that memories will ease the grief you share among his family and friends. What a blessing the Havasy Family has been and continues to be!
Fred,
So sorry to hear of your brother’s passing. Though I never met him, the words spoken by others here are a testament to an honorable man. Please accept my prayers, my friend, at this difficult time.