Joe Servis, a former rider, racing official, and father of John and Jason, dies at 92

Joe Servis, a former jockey and racing official and the father of Thoroughbred trainers John and Jason Servis, died Nov. 14 due to complications associated with bladder cancer, according to John Servis. He was 92.

Joe Servis rode races for 11 years, mostly in Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia, according to John Servis. When he retired from riding, he became the East Coast manager for the Jockey’s Guild.

John Servis said that his father helped draw up the plans for a renovated jockeys’ room at Churchill Downs in the 1960s, something he was very proud of.

“He instilled a very strong work ethic in the family,” John Servis said. “He really wanted to keep us away from the racetrack. Of course, my brother and I became trainers and my older sister married a trainer. My other sister, Jodie, didn’t get in the racing business but she probably watches more races than all of us.”

John Servis’s sister Laurie is married to the Florida-based trainer Eddie Plesa Jr.

In 1972, Joe Servis became an accredited steward and worked mostly in West Virginia through 1999. Thereafter, he would do fill-in work as a steward at Monmouth Park, Parx, and Penn National.

“I’ve heard from a lot of people since he died and those who knew him as a steward said he was tough, but he was always fair,” John Servis said.

In addition to his four children, Joe Servis is survived by his wife Dolores. The couple was married for 72 years.

A celebration of Joe Servis' life will be held Nov. 30 from 5-9 p.m. at the Charles Town Moose Lodge, 77 Universal Forrest Prdct. Rd, Ranson, West Virginia.

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