We Mourn the Passing of Paul Stavis

Submitted by Sue Swanson
Obituary Published in Albany Times Union from July 12 to July 13, 2011

Stavis, Paul F. CASTLETON Paul F. Stavis, loving husband of Nafsika Stavis (nee Socaris) and father of Dominique Stavis, the light of his life, passed away on Sunday, July 10, 2011, in the comfort of his home with his family at his side. Paul waged a very brave and courageous battle against multiple myeloma, a blood cancer. Paul was born on May 19, 1947 in Ossining, N.Y. He is a graduate of Syracuse University and Buffalo Law School. He was an honorably discharged second lieutenant in the US Air Force. Paul served as a law clerk to the Hon. James T. Foley, chief judge of the US District Court for the Northern District of New York and as the first assistant to the director of the Ohio Organized Crime Prevention Council. Paul also served as the General Counsel to the NYS Commission On Quality of Care For The Mentally Disabled for 21 years. In that capacity, he helped develop and implement innovative programs such as the Surrogate Decision Making Program and the state's first forensic fiscal investigations team. He also served as the director of the Bureau of House Counsel for the NYS Department Of Health and as deputy counsel in charge of litigation for the NYS Department of Mental Hygiene. He also served as a senior attorney for the Office of Medicaid Inspector General. He was a recognized expert in the Medicaid program and published articles on combating fraud and abuse in that program. As a legal scholar, he was the founding director of the Law and Psychiatry Center at George Mason School of Law in Arlington, Va. from 1999-2002. He also served as an adjunct professor of Law and Psychiatry at the Albany Law School, as a professor of Law and Bioethics at the Alden March Bioethics Institute of Albany Medical College. In addition, he held teaching positions at the State University of Albany School of Criminal Justice, Union College Graduate School of Management, and the New School of Social Research. He was a prolific and respected writer of articles on mental health and the law. He was committed to providing pro bono services to those in need, including serving on committees studying aspects of legal problems affecting persons with disabilities in New York and as an advisor to the commission on Mental Hygiene Reform of the Supreme Court of West Virginia. Paul had a zest for life. He traveled widely, was an avid and expert skier, a motorcyclist who loved to ride his Harley Davidson, a parachute jumper, and dedicated swimmer, and bicyclist. He was an extremely proficient handyman, with his last project being the elaborate treehouse for his daughter. His last accomplishment was attending his daughter's graduation at Holy Spirit school. Paul never lost sight of the importance of faith, family, and friends. Paul always strove for the best-to do his best, to give his best, and to bring out the best in people. He was always kind, and in his quiet way, encouraged each of us to be strong and carry on, regardless of what we were facing. The lessons Paul taught us all will live in our hearts forever and will help us persevere and remember him always. Paul is also survived by his parents, Gus and Margaret Stavis of Boynton Beach, Fla.; his brother Robert (Jeanne) Stavis of Buchanan, N.Y.; and his sister Anna (Frank) Scalise of Lake Worth, Fla. Paul's extended family included his aunt, Helen Maurer; cousins Paul, Eric and James Maurer of Earlton, N.Y. Paul was a brother-in-law to Maria (James) Mahar, Spiro (Lisa Trubitt) Socaris, George (Debbie) Socaris, Sophia Socaris (George Danes) and Peter Socaris. He is survived by many nieces, nephews and godchildren. Paul was a member of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church and AHEPA Chapter #140. Funeral service will be Thursday, at 11 a.m. at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 440 Whitehall Rd., Albany. Calling hours will be Wednesday, 4 until 8 p.m. at the Tebbutt Funeral Home, 633 Central Ave, Albany. Trisagion service will be held at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Paul's memory to the Jerome Lipper Center for Multiple Myeloma at Dana Farber Cancer Institute at 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215 or to St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church Iconography Fund.