Dr. James David Sawyer
Norwich — Dr. James David “Dave” Sawyer, 97, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. He was born on May 18, 1920, the son of the late Clarence and Mae (Sargent) Sawyer, in St. Albans, Vt. He was predeceased by his wife, Chrissoula Phillips Sawyer (2013), and his wife Sally Rome Sawyer (1962).
In St. Albans, Dave attended St. Mary’s Grammar and High School, graduating in 1938. Dave completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Vermont in 1942, and continued on there to earn his medical degree in 1944.
After serving as a medical officer in World War II, Dave began his general practice in Jewett City and furthered his studies at the Lahey Clinic Fellowship in Radiology in 1948. Subsequently, he worked at The W.W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, served as a medical officer in the Korean War, and was the head of radiology at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. Dave’s first partnership as part of the Radiology Group of Norwich was formed with a handshake with Dr. Franklin Sornberger. Dave was a member of the American College of Radiology and the Connecticut Medical Society. Dave retired from medicine in 1987, and afterward volunteered with Hospice and the Listening Program for Teens in Venice, Fla.
Dave was a devoted member of the Saint Patrick Cathedral Parish and served on the Parish Council. He was an original member of the Pautipaug Country Club and enjoyed time there with his family. Dave was an avid golfer and a Red Sox fan; he loved traveling, long walks, black coffee, and completing crossword puzzles. Dave’s greatest joy, and the legacy he leaves, is the love of his family.
Besides his parents and his wives, Dave was predeceased by his five siblings, Betty, John, Robert, Chuck and Margaret, his son George Tsakonas, his daughter Peggy Sawyer, and his grandson Joshua Sawyer. He is survived by his children, Bob (Sue), Betsy Bateson, Margie (Keith Adams), Alexis Kasden (Allen), Kathy Hetzel (Steve), Ann Mitchell, Susannah Griffin (Gene), Jim (Gail), Bill (Barbara), Theodore Tsakonas, Joan Barnes (Mark), and Mike (Elizabeth), his 23 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, at Saint Patrick Cathedral in Norwich. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4, at the Labenski Funeral Home, 107 Boswell Ave., Norwich.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Joshua Sawyer Scholarship Fund at St. Bernard High School, 1593 Norwich New London Turnpike, Uncasville, CT 06382 or to Saint Patrick Cathedral, 213 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360.