Fitzhugh Lee Opie

 Father Fitzhugh Lee “Lev” Opie 

Fitzhugh Lee Opie, 68, died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Baymeadows on July 25.

Fitzhugh Lee Opie was born in Alexandria, Virginia on May 19, 1957, the eldest son of Fitzhugh Lee Rhea Opie and Mary Laurence (Jones) Opie. Alongside his brothers John and George, he was born in the Old Confederate Hospital. He grew up in Alexandria, and was a descendant of General Fitzhugh Lee, whose lineage brought great pride to Virginia. He graduated from Bishop Ireton High School in 1975 and attended George Mason University as an English Major.

During his time in school, Fitz started a lifelong career in clothing sales, a career which led him to meet his future wife, Elizabeth Estrada. Their love quickly blossomed into 51 years of steadfast dedication.

As a young man, Fitz’s beloved uncle, Byzantine Art History Professor John Lindsay Opie, came for a visit to America from Italy. Needing a ride to an Orthodox Church, Fitz took his uncle to Divine Liturgy and was illuminated by the presence of God. This started his catechumenism into the Orthodox faith, which ultimately led to his conversion on his wedding day in 1984 by Father Paul Harrilchak. This began his journey from Lee to Lev.

After marrying his wife, his career took them to Atlanta, where they found a parish home in St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church. During their time in Georgia, Lev started as a reader, later becoming a subdeacon. He served as a subdeacon through another move to Orlando, and later to Jacksonville at various parishes. His move to Jacksonville in 1998 began his career with Rosenblum’s, working for them as a Customs Specialist. Through his years of service, he touched many lives in the Jacksonville community. He loved Rosenblum's team, and his customers, as family. Being totally devoted in all things, he truly was a Man of the Cloth.

While in Jacksonville, he struggled to find a church. Through a mutual need, he met other Orthodox Christians in Palm Coast, eager to start a church. Through continued prayer and dedication, their good works came to pass with the formation of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in 2000.

In 2008, he was ordained to the diaconate by Metropolitan Hilarion. Over the last 17 years, the parish flourished into a strong community, where he had served alongside Fr. Andrey Pastukh, Fr. Nikolai Perekrestov and then Fr. Vladimir Kaydanov in recent years. His departure has left the Church feeling a great loss, but also a great joy in that he is with our Lord in the Great Kingdom of Heaven, and we now have a great intercessor for our souls. We take comfort that he is with his father, mother, brother George Opie, and the saints.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; his daughter, Mary Smiley and her husband, Andrew; his dearly beloved granddaughter, Eleanor Smiley, and a grandson, Fitzhugh on the way. He is also survived by his brother, John N. Opie of Arlington, Virginia, his nephew Liam Opie and wife Gabrielle Opie of Harrison, Maine, grandnephew Liam Laurence Opie, and other relatives across America and Europe. Memory eternal!