
NEW YORK, NY – Greek News USA
[Photos: OXI Day Foundation]
James H. Moshovitis of Washington, DC passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 28th. He was 99 years old. He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Zoe Moshovitis and sister Georgia and will be remembered as embodying all the remarkable traits of the “Greatest Generation”. Selfless service, hard work, overcoming obstacles and achievement beyond imagination.
Moshovitis was born on March 15, 1925 in Washington, D.C., the only son of three children born to Greek immigrants. His parents ran a small food concession in a railway station in Rosalind, Virginia. Like many first-generation immigrants, he started out with nothing. After finishing High School, he enlisted in the US Navy. He was a radio man on a ship near Japan during WW2. He was involved in action at Iwo Jima, Saipan, Okinawa, Guam, Tulagi and Manila Bay. He was also on the first ship that arrived in Tokyo Bay on V-J Day and he was extremely proud of his service that changed the course of history.
After the war, Moshovitis started working in his father’s restaurant and, as a family member recalls, quickly he realized “I would much rather be the landlord than the tenant” to quote him. Slowly he started saving money until he could buy the restaurant. He continued buying up small commercial properties in downtown DC and earned the nickname “The Spike” once the DC Metro was announced. He often was the last domino to fall and would hold out until he was offered the price he wanted. He did all this with no lawyers or accountants. His weapons were a bag of donuts and fresh coffee. He became a legend in the DC real estate circle.
An Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, a man of faith, Moshovitis was an extremely active and generous member of St. Sophia Cathedral in Washington, DC., Leadership 100, and FAITH. He supported many philanthropic causes for the Greek Orthodox Church, as well as many cultural, medical, and educational institutions including The National Gallery, The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, Medical University of South Carolina and American Associates of the St. Catherine Foundation.
Moshovitis was honored with the Washington OXI Day Foundation’s “Greatest Generation Award” for his courageous service to the U.S. in 2015
He loved to travel and he loved fishing in Alaska.
He was a very passionate and equally sensitive person. He could be tough and also easily brought to tears. He loved sports, was a fierce tennis player and loved cheering his grandchildren on. He was truly a one-of-a-kind, a huge inspiration to many, and will be terribly missed by all who knew him.
He will be missed by his two children Diana and Harry, sister Vivian, son-in-law Michael, and four grandchildren Zoe, Jason, Skylar and Maia, as well as by his many nieces, nephews and countless friends.
Funeral services were held at the St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral on January 4th.
May his memory be eternal!