For many years, Stephen Saviello served as the Limerick area’s unofficial news feed. He became well-known locally for sharing news stories, recipes, jokes, photos and other tidbits through his list serve.
Saviello, 67, died Sunday at his home on Brook Drive in Royersford.
One reader wrote: “I am in shock. He provided this wonderful list so we can debate and agree to disagree. Peace to him and his family.”
Another wrote, “What a shame, though I never met him personally, we conversed privately in e-mail for years. He seemed like such a nice and level-headed fellow.”
Saviello also chronicled local events and people through his photography Web site, http://saviello.smugmug.com.
I never had a chance to meet him, although we agreed to have coffee once to discuss this site and how his love for photography might complement our coverage. We couldn’t nail down a convenient time for both of us. That’s too bad now.
After returning from a trip to Maryland this weekend, I was surprised to discover that my inbox had just a handful of new e-mails. Saviello would scan the area Web sites – Pottstown Mercury, Times-Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer, and What’s the 422 – and post a generous heaping of local news for readers to comment on.
This area lost a valuable friend on Sunday. His obituary, courtesy of John Grispon, follows:
Stephen J. Saviello, husband of Dorothy (Wilson) Saviello, of Brook Drive, Royersford, died Aug. 16, 2009 at his residence. He was 67.
Born in Kearny N.J., he was the son of the late John S. Saviello.
He was president of the former Metro Shippers, in Norristown, for 20 years. He was a member of Sacred Heart R.C. Church, Royersford. He was an avid photographer,and also was very involved for over 16 years, as a volunteer EMT, for both the Lower Providence Township Ambulance Squad, and the West Norriton Ambulance Squad. He also enjoyed and loved his cats.
Surviving with his wife of 41 years, is a daughter Stephanie A. Saviello of Pottstown; and a son, John G. Saviello of Limerick. Also surviving is a brother Gregory J. Saviello of Lincoln Park, N.J.; and five grandchildren, including Danielle M. Saviello, who resided with her grandparents for many years.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jamiann DeFusco.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated in Sacred Heart R.C. Church, Walnut Street and Lewis Road, Royersford, on Saturday Aug. 22, at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Timothy M. Judge, officiating.
Interment will be in Fernwood Cemetery, Royersford. Friends may call on Friday evening from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Catagnus Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 329 N. Lewis Road, Royersford.
Contributions may be made in his memory to: Spay & Save Inc., P.O. Box 122, Lafayette Hill, PA. 19444.
August 19th, 2009 at 10:05 am
While shooting pictures of my son’s baseball game in Spring City in 08, he came up beside me with his camera and gave me some pointers and even let me shoot a few with his camera. His had a $1000 Nikon zoom lens. Very nice guy. I enjoyed seeing my son’s baseball and basketball pictures on his smugmug website.
August 19th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
I got me meet him quite a few times. I feel lucky to have gotten to know him and am saddened by the loss.
He was a great person and always had a good story to share. He really cared about about the surrounding community though he wasnt from here! You could always find him after school at the events attached to his camera. He encouraged me 4+ times to come tour the SNAP post prom party setup at the high school, I’m glad I did. I’ve been and will continue to miss his wacky sense of humor.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:30 am
I got to meet Steve a year or so ago. He chronicled Kearny High for all of us and did some amazing work. He will be missed by all of the alumni who proudly graduated Kearny High in the lae 50’s and early 60’s. I hope the web site remains as a reminder of this wonderful man who was so talented and had so much to give. On behalf of those alumni, may I offer our condolences to his family and please know that he will remain special to all of us who turned on to his web site. Love, Marsha
August 21st, 2009 at 3:14 pm
This comment was deleted because it violated our comment policy. Comments that are abusive, off-topic, use excessive foul language, or include ad hominem attacks will usually be deleted.
–What’s the 422? Staff
August 22nd, 2009 at 12:45 am
I never met Steve personally but do have pictures of my children, grandchildren and friends on his “Smugmug” What a wealth of information that site is for everyone who went though the Kearny New Jersey school system. I also have a file with many sites he sent me that were interesting and helpful. He will really be missed by everyone who went to his site. Could share pictures of reunions for those who couldnt make it. He was a very special person
August 23rd, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Just two weeks ago I sent Steve an email which was possibly trash. He told me to dump it that indeed it was junk. We sent these easy emails to each other for years. Steve’s parents were friends of dear friend’s of my parents. There was a connection which goes very far back.
I was unaware of any illness, so I will assume Steve’s death was sudden.
How sad that this vibrant man has left the world of his family and friends that he loved.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Why dont you show the post that explain what Saviello was all about? You seem to want to delete the truth…
August 24th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
People who want to open themselves up to potential libel and defamation lawsuits are free to start their own web sites. They may not use ours. Thanks!