James "Jim" Pete Savas

It is with our utmost sympathy and heaviest hearts that we share the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, boss, and dear friend, Jim Savas, who left this world in the early hours on May 3, 2025.

Born on May 31st 1942 to mother Christina (Makis) Savas and father Pete Savas as the youngest of nine children, Jim’s roots in Salt Lake City ran deep. A few short years later, in 1947, Grove Market and Deli opened its doors—and by the age of 19, Jim had stepped in as its primary owner and operator. In life Jim’s life long companion of fifty years, his wife Patsy Savas, joined him and side by side they worked together to build a close-knit and devoted family. They were married in 1985 and had two children - daughter Gena Russell and son Mathew Savas who also devotedly worked in the family business. What followed was a legacy of leadership, loyalty, and love that shaped not just a family business, but a community.

Under Jim’s care, Grove Market became more than just a place to get the biggest sandwich you’ve ever seen—it became a cornerstone of the city. Through economic ups and downs, Jim’s vision, hard work, and innovations kept the doors open and the shelves full.

To the patrons who walked through those doors, Jim was the heart and soul of Grove Market. He greeted you by name, remembered your last conversation, and genuinely cared how you were doing. His warmth and generosity extended far beyond the register. He led with fairness, honesty, and virtue, always choosing people over profit and never wavering in his commitment to quality and affordability.

Jim Savas was Grove Market.

He was a beacon—loyal not just in word, but in action. He gave of himself fully, investing in the lives of those around him, and in turn, we were all better for it.

To know Jim was to be known.

To be served by Jim was to be cared for.

To walk into Grove Market was to walk into his heart.

Thank you, Jim, for everything. Your legacy lives on in every towering sandwich, every friendly face behind the counter, and every memory made within and well outside of those historic walls. Jim Savas was preceded in death by his parents (Christina and Pete Savas) as well as his eight brothers and sisters (Gus, Wilma, Tula, George, Joanne, Nick, Tony, and Spero), as well as his niece (Sophia Roumpos) and nephews (Todd Savas and George Gamvroulas).

You will be missed beyond words.

Rest in peace.

A prayer service for Jim will be held Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, UT 84106, followed by a Celebration of Life from 6:45 PM to 9:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim's memory may be made to Shriner's Children's Hospital, https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/campaign/686282/donate?c_src=google&c_src2=spring-match-brand-2025&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=157828074&gbraid=0AAAAADy9t15C0hk7hWKyNYPWKy5TCk0xG&gclid=Cj0KCQjww-HABhCGARIsALLO6XyatlMlmTY-pNEzfsSM0zItenSEu3PqVFMReR0Nm3ItV00UNMgeY9oaArPzEALw_wcB;

and St. Jude's Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=about-us-top-bttn-donate.