1959-2020
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.”
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The entire OOH industry was deeply impacted by the news of John Savey’s tragic passing. Insider wanted to pass along a few of the many comments we received from those who knew John or were impacted by this tragedy.
John Savey“Both of us worked for Whiteco back in the 80’s, but I never met him until we met in Ocala, FL in 1989. He with Whiteco and me with POA. I had been there about 2 years when he arrived from Ohio. He contacted me to have lunch and wanted to learn the lay of the land. That began a great relationship that lasted until last Friday. He was a good friend and a good competitor. We respected each other’s business and fought local legislation together.
I moved to Orlando in 1993 and so we saw each other less frequently. However, we reconnected again when we both worked for Jim McLaughlin at Chancellor a short time in 1999-2000, but in different markets. After Chancellor sold, John started his own company, Longview Outdoor and I had moved to Colorado with Triumph Outdoor. I moved back to Orlando in 2000. We again saw each other for occasional lunches with Jim McLaughlin.
Jim and I moved to Atlanta in 2005 to start Olympus Media and Jim recommended John to run Signal Outdoor for the Wicks Group. As luck would have it, we once again joined forces in 2013 when MSouth Capital Partners acquired Signal and recruited Jim and me to manage it for them. John stayed on for about six months during the transition and was extremely helpful to give us the lay of the land. Quite ironic how our paths crossed so many times.
John loved the OOH industry and made many friends during his career. He always treated everyone with respect and a ready smile. He was easy to work with and always gave it his best. He treated his employees with kindness and fairness. He was a devoted father and husband. Simply put, John was just a wonderful, good natured man who you wanted as your next door neighbor. We will miss him.
Ray Moyers, Insite Street Media
“This one is a tough one to comprehend. A great generous person with a great family. He would give me a ring out of the blue frequently just to check up and see how things were going. Fun-loving generous brother in the 00H industry. Please pray and lift up Lisa and her family during this beyond difficult time.”
Steve Guild, Triad Business Journal
“John Savey was a great guy. He worked with me at several companies and was widely known in the industry on both the traditional billboard side, and the street furniture side. John was intelligent, loved a practical joke, and was quite witty. He will be missed by those who knew him.”
Jim McLaughlin
“I had the opportunity to work with John Savey for eight years at Signal Outdoor. I remember John enjoyed life, always had a smile on his face and I never saw him get angry at anyone. He was an avid sports fan and would frequently quote sports trivia. Of course, he loved the outdoor industry, but his main priorities were family, friends, and Ohio State Football.
Rick Newcomer
“This is a tragic, senseless and heartbreaking loss for the Savey family and the OOH family. Thoughts, love and prayers being sent to Lisa and hope for swift justice for this perpetrator.”
Jennifer Cater, Wilkins Media
“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.”
Mike Licitra
“I remember John well. He was a wonderful student and professional, talented, inquisitive – and always with a pleasant smile. We kept in touch after his graduation. We grew up in the same town. Our fathers worked together and were close friends. I was his advisor here and he completed several advertising classes with me.”
“This is beyond tragic. The world needs more people like John. One of his talents was to make those around him better because of his ability to quickly forge strong and lasting relationships. He was a friend to all.”
“This is heartbreaking.”
Tom Peters, Ohio University
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WHAT FRIENDS SAY?
“Ross was always willing to help me when I started my career.”
– DAN WALCOTTEagle Outdoor“Aliquam congue lacinia turpis proin sit nulla mattis semper.”
– JEREMY LARSONACME Inc.“Fermentum habitasse tempor sit et rhoncus, a morbi ultrices!”
– ERIC HARTACME Inc.