REHOBOTH - Jake Dudley Tavasti ("Uncle Dirty" "Old Man of the Sea" "Daddy King") passed away peacefully surrounded by his friends and family on June 23, 2016 in St. Augustine, Fla. Jake was 72 years old. Jake was born on Jan. 31, 1944 in Glendale, Calif. to Lt. Col. Roy Tavasti and Catherine (Dudley) Tavasti. He spent his childhood in California, Alaska, and Virginia. Jake graduated from Congressional High School in Fairfax, Va. and then he decided to become a volunteer firefighter shortly after that. Jake proudly served the Fairfax County Fire Department for over 20 years where he worked in various roles and eventually became a Battalion Chief. After retiring from the service in the early 1980's, he moved to the Delaware beaches where he had two daughters and made numerous lifelong friendships. Jake was a talented artist who painted beautiful pictures and created amazing decoys. Using his own unique style, he created memorable postcards, t-shirts and menus for many establishments in his beloved southern Delaware. Jake loved to share with others and he loved his friends. Jake was devoted to his two daughters, Jessica and Katie. He was also a very talented photographer. And, Jake could fix anything that was broken. He also loved his animals; his German shepherds Jesse and Satan, his cat Hobie, Black Lab Moe, and Buddy, a squirrel who absolutely loved Jake and even ate nuts out of his hands. Jake is survived by his mother, Catherine Tavasti; his two daughters, Jessica Tavasti Davis (and husband Brett Davis) and Katherine Tavasti. Jake is predeceased by his father, Roy Tavasti; and brother, Jon Tavasti. A memorial burial service will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at Henlopen Memorial Park at 12:00 p.m. at 28787 Lockerman Rd, Milton, DE 19968. A celebration of Jake's life will take place immediately following at Irish Eyes Restaurant from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The address is: 217 Anglers Rd # 19958, Lewes, DE 19958. Lunch and beverages will be served while we celebrate his life and tell stories about this amazing man. To ensure we have enough food, please RSVP at jessica.tavasti@gmail.com. Jake was extremely generous and donated to multiple charities every month. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.