Sam Savopoulos, a longtime Stickney trustee and local business owner, died July 15 after a prolonged illness. He was 62.
Savopoulos served nearly 12 years on the village board. He was appointed in August 2012, elected to a full term in 2013, and most recently re-elected in April, running unopposed.
In a statement, Stickney Mayor Jeff Walik praised Savopoulos’ leadership.
“Sam didn’t just sit in a seat — he showed up, time and again, for the people of this village,” Walik said. “For nearly 12 years, he brought his voice, his time, and his heart to the board. His work has left a lasting impact on this community, and his presence will be deeply missed. He loved Stickney, and it showed in everything he did.”
Savopoulos was also a pillar of the Stickney business community. For decades, he worked at Alexander’s Pancake House, the family-owned restaurant located on Pershing Road in Stickney. He began working there as a young man, washing dishes, bussing tables, and cooking in the kitchen. Over the years, he eventually became the general manager and owner.
Michael Del Galdo, the village’s general counsel and managing partner of the Berwyn-based Del Galdo Law Group, called Savopoulos “more than a colleague — a dear friend.”
“He brought honesty, thoughtfulness and sincerity to every interaction,whether personal or professional,’ Del Galdo said. “These were not just his values as a person, but the same values he carried into his work as a trustee. His loss is personal to many of us. He was a good man, and Stickney is better because he served.”
During his tenure, Savopoulos supported infrastructure projects, budget oversight and expanded services for residents. In February, the board honored him by naming the 3900 block of Euclid Avenue “Savopoulos Family Way” and proclaiming Feb. 4 “Sam Savopoulos Day.”
Savopoulos was born May 31, 1963, in Tripoli, Greece.
He is survived by his son, Billy; his brother, George; his sister, Connie (the late Jim); his nephew, Danny; his niece, Joanne; and many friends.
Visitation is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 18, at Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Stickney. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 19, at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery and Mausoleum in River Grove.
“The Village Board extends its deepest condolences to the Savopoulos family and all who knew him,” Walik said. “His commitment to service and community will not be forgotten.”