Vito Anthony Savoia Obituary (1948 - 2017)

Vito Anthony Savoia, 68, originally of Erie, Pennsylvania, went to be with his Lord, Thursday, June 29th, 2017 at Florida Hospital of Tampa, after fighting a courageous battle with a brief illness. Born September 22nd, 1948 in Erie, he was the eldest son of Dr. Anthony and Helen (Brockway) Savoia. He graduated from Erie's Iroquois High School, with the very first class in1966. Vito was an accomplished drummer, and played with both the North East Shoreliners and the Erie Thunderbirds drum and bugle corps in the 1960's. In 1966, while attending Alliance College, in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, Vito played the drums with the Kujiawiaki Polish Dance Troupe, which was given the honor of performing at the White House for President Lyndon Johnson's Christmas party. Vito was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard, studied barbering, and later earned his Bachelor's degree in Engineering from Pacific Western University, as well as a Master's degree in Business Administration from Pacific Western University. He worked at Erie's General Electric Co., Honeywell, in Phoenix, Arizona, and then spent many years as an Engineer for Alliant Techsystems at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, in Joliet, Illinois. Even in retirement, his love of people led him to begin working with ELS Retirement Communities in Lakeland Florida. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 49 years, Mary Ann (Magliocco) Savoia; his dear mother, Helen Savoia; four beloved children, Anthony (Ann) Savoia, Louis (Jamie) Savoia, Joanna (Marcos) Enriques and Joseph (Jennifer) Savoia; 10 cherished grandchildren, Ashley, Ryan, Lena, Corey, Vincent, Alonzo, Carmelita, Caden, Addison and Hannah; and his adored great grandson, Noah. Vito is also survived by his siblings, Rosemarie (Randall) Olson, Theresa (David) Divell, Gregory (Cheri) Savoia, and Christopher (Patricia) Savoia; an aunt, Hazel Wright; mother-in-law, Joanna Magliocco; sister-in-law, Lynette (Keveh) Golestaneh; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death was his father, Dr. Anthony Savoia. Vito was a devoted Christian whose greatest joy was spending time with his family. He left a lasting impression upon the hearts of those who were lucky enough to meet him, and will be remembered for his gentle soul and infectious smile. From his father he inherited the uncanny ability to "fix" anything, and carried on the "legacy" of Duct tape. He truly was one of the good guys. Vito was a long-time member of Immaculate Conception Church in Morris, Illinois, a recent member of Resurrection Catholic Church in Lakeland, Florida and a member of the American Legion Post 273 in Madeira Beach, Florida. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at a later date at Immaculate Conception Church in Morris. Vito will be laid to rest, with full military honors, at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, on the grounds of the former Joliet Army Ammunition Plant site. Vito's family is humbled and grateful for the efforts of Nancy Dusckas, in Erie, to oversee these arrangements. They further request that, in lieu of flowers, memorials of Vito be made to Maryann Savoia.