Joseph L. Schiavo

Joseph L. Schiavo, aka "Joe the Butcher," died on March 27 at the age of 100. Born in 1923 in South Philly, Joe was the son of Irene (DeLeo) and Salvatore Schiavo, Italian immigrants who raised a brood of nine on Titan Street. Joe went to work as a butcher's apprentice at age 9, going to the store before and after school every day. As he picked up the trade, his schoolwork suffered. His most vivid memory from his school days was of falling asleep with his head on the desk. When he was still a teenager, his father died, a loss Joe would feel his whole life. Through his father he learned to live joyfully and love deeply. Through his mother, he learned to be responsible and practical. When he was 18, he met Mary Grace Santangelo, the woman who would become his wife of 76 years. Most of their courtship occurred through letters, as Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942, serving proudly as an anti-aircraft gunner with the 559th AAA in England, France, Germany and Belgium, where he was part of the Allies' decisive victory in the Battle of the Bulge. He and Mary married on April 24, 1948, and a year later, they welcomed their first child, Marie-Elena, named after their favorite song. She would become their crutch as their mobility waned in later years. Joe and Mary raised their family on 64th Street in Southwest Philly, where their porch and basement were neighborhood hangouts in the 1960s and '70s. In that little house, Frank Sinatra and Louie Prima blared every Sunday - Joe believed that music should be played at high volume. Long before Penn State or the Boston Red Sox adopted "Sweet Caroline," Joe claimed the song that would become his signature. At his grandson's wedding last year, Joe led a rousing rendition of the song on the dance floor. ("So good! So good! So good!") His zest for life was unmatched. When we think of Joe, we'll picture him laughing, singing and dancing. He has the Army to thank for his suave ballroom and smooth disco moves. Through the GI Bill, he took lessons at the Arthur Murray dance studio. When the DJ was spinning Donna Summer's "Last Dance," Joe was still on the dance floor. Though he liked to have fun, Joe worked six days a week for most of his life, opening Joe's Market on Oregon Avenue in 1947. For the next 45 years, customers would find Joe behind the butcher's block, cutting a perfect New York strip and the thinnest chicken cutlets. "Hello, Joe Speakin," greeted every customer who called in an order or placed a bet on the street number. Joe knew his customers by name and let them buy on credit. When he and his son Joe, who followed him into the trade, closed the store in 1992, thousands of dollars in tabs were forgiven. After retirement, Joe devoted his time to his family and friends, offering handyman services free of charge with his late brother-in-law Anthony Lombard. His favorite time of year was the first two weeks in August, when the entire family would go to North Wildwood. At a table by the motel pool, he played pinochle nearly around the clock - Frank and Louie blaring (sorry other guests), a cooler of Budweiser's handy. A true Philadelphian, Joe loved the Phillies, the Eagles and the Mummers and was holding out hope for another World Series win in his lifetime. Joe outlived all of his siblings, his Army buddies and his friends but loved reminiscing about them. He may have been a regular Joe, but he was no ordinary man. He lived in the moment - joyful, engaged, giving, loving, dancing, singing, celebrating every day. In addition to his 99-year-old wife, Joe is survived by four children: Layna Rizzo and husband Billy; Joe and wife Mary; Christine; Mark and wife Kerri. Ten grandchildren: Michael Glaze and wife Christa; Jackie Daly and husband Paul; Matt Rizzo and wife Katie; Gina Rizzo; Joe Schiavo and wife Katie; Kate and Claire Corcoran; Jordan, Luke and Allison Schiavo. Nine great-grandchildren: Michael, Christina and Melissa Glaze; Alyssa, Paul and Samantha Daly; Rocco, Vincent and Stella Rizzo; and many nieces and nephews including the Lombards, Ricevutos, Ochipintis and Barsottis. Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, at St. Barnabas Church, 6300 Buist Ave., Philadelphia, 19142. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m., followed by burial with military honors at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon. Those looking to honor Joe can make a donation to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation or the Travis Manion Foundation, which produced a video about Joe's service. Or just enjoy a Budweiser while listening to his favorite song: Frank Sinatra's "My Way." ***Written by: Christine Schiavo***

Joseph L. Schiavo

March 27, 2024