Joseph "Jay" SCAVUZZO Obituary (1922 - 2010)

Joseph A. "Jay'' Scavuzzo passed away Friday, February 12, 2010 at 1:45 pm as his beloved wife Cindy was holding his hand. During Jay's life his motto was "Money was never my goal, doing the job was my real satisfaction." As a child, Jay's father Carmelo Scavuzzo arrived alone at Ellis Island, NY and was detained at immigration for ten days before being released to his adoptive family. While working for the Boston Spaghetti Company, Carmelo met his future wife Ida Scarpaci. He asked her father for her hand in marriage and they wed on June 8, 1922. Their daughter Margaret Ann was born on June 6, 1923 and son Joseph Anthony was born November 30, 1926.Jay worked since he was 12-years-old, shining shoes, setting pins in a bowling alley and at his father's bakery. When he was 15 he lied about his age and joined the Merchant Marines. He got sent home but joined again at 16 as a Seaman. After WWII he would work days selling waterless cookware, nights driving a cab, and on the weekends he cooked in restaurants and nightclubs. For 5 years Jay was a bakery-driver salesman while still working as a cab driver and cook.By accident Jay found his niche in real estate doing so well that he gave up his side work. His real estate career included developing homes and commercial properties that he also sold. He found he enjoyed selling the best. During this time Jay bought an old mansion, renovated it and turned it in to a restaurant and nightclub called Joseph's of Braintree.In 1971, Jay came to Lake Havasu City where he opened a successful real estate office with three locations. In 1980 he converted an apartment building into a timeshare destination known as The Sands Resort. Along with several partners, Jay purchased The Desert Isle of Palm Springs from the Resolution Trust Corporation in 1995. Several other businesses owned and/or operated by Jay included a newspaper, driving school, limousine service, restaurant, and another small hotel known as The Fairway Inn.Jay met the love of his life Cindy at a Chamber mixer in 1993. They were friends until the February 1994 mixer when Jay asked Cindy if she wanted to go out with an old, established firm. Together they had a good life entertaining friends and family and traveling around the world meeting old friends and making new ones. They also partnered in business running the Sands Resort and The Fairway Inn.Jay's family is profoundly grateful to the entire staff of Hospice of Havasu, and the wonderful staff at Prestige for making Jay's transition as comfortable as possible.Longtime family friends Jimmie Gustav, Joe Somario, and Sheila Demski graciously helped Cindy care for Jay during his illness. Also bringing Jay comfort was the gentle golden retriever Harley who belongs to Joe and Evie Cistaro, So many friends and family members brought Jay and Cindy love and comfort it would fill a book...thanks to all.Family and friends of Jay are invited to a Celebration of Jay's Life to be held Saturday, February 20, 2010 at The London Bridge Resort Convention Center from l2 noon to 3pm. The family requests that in lieu of flowers please send donations to Hospice of Havasu, P.O. Box 597, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405 or to the Cancer Association of Havasu, P.O. Box 1410, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405Besides his wife, Jay is survived by son Joseph G. Scavuzzo (Anne Belle); daughter Robin Richard (Mike); a half brother Nicholas Scavuzzo (Vicki); and a half-sister Evelyn Cistaro (Joe); his granddaughters Casey and Jamie Richard, nieces, nephews and great- nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Margaret Gladis, son Billy Scavuzzo and step-parent Rachel (Lena) Scavuzzo.Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.comArrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.