Joseph A. Salvia

Joseph A. Salvia, age 91, of Erie, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at UPMC Hamot, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Erie on August 25, 1932, son of the late Joseph and Theresa Salvia. 

Joe was a 1950 graduate of Academy High School and went on to graduate from Gannon University in 1954 with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. In 1957 Joe obtained his MBA from the University of Pennsylvania, the Wharton School of Business, where he graduated first in his class. Several years later Joe obtained his CPA license and began a long and meaningful career as a Certified Public Accountant. In 1976 Joe passed a bar exam that allowed him to represent clients in front of the US Tax Court. At the time there were less than 100 people in Pennsylvania with such a distinction.

He served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956, with an honorable discharge and the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

Joe began his career in public accounting in 1957 with Root, Spitznas and Smiley and retired as a principal in 1992, at which time he became CFO of The Plastek Group until his retirement in 2000. During his career, Joe taught Finance, Accounting and Economics at the Wharton School, Gannon University, Mercyhurst University, Penn State, Behrend Campus and Kent State.

Joe served on Boards of Directors for many Erie area companies and was Speaker and Chairman of the Committee of Federal Taxes, a division of the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs. He also taught courses on Federal tax for the American, Pennsylvania and Ohio Institutes of CPAs.

Joe lived his life giving back to others, especially his family and his community. He served as Treasurer and Chairman of the Greater Erie Area Golf Classic, and held various Board positions for the Erie Playhouse, St. Paul Parish Council and the National Association of the Wolves. He was kind and humble and epitomized the saying, “the true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching”.

He enjoyed golfing and was a wonderful cook. He showed his love to countless people by making beautiful and thoughtfully crafted meals for them. He also loved volunteering at the SSJ Neighborhood Network soup kitchen and the St. Paul’s Italian Festival. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Vincent Mezzacappo and Frank Salvia; sisters, Josephine Smeigh, Frances Lish and Carmella NeCastro.

He is survived by his beloved wife Anita Narducci Salvia; 5 children, Mark J. Salvia and his wife Lisa of Erie, Elizabeth A. Cresto of Pittsburgh, Matthew P. Salvia and his wife Beth of Erie, Lucia T. Salvia of Erie and Joseph A. Salvia; step daughter Jennifer Rautine and her partner Naomi Teperow of Erie; his brother Anthony Salvia and his wife Wanda of Erie; 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and several lifelong friends. He will be deeply missed by all.

Friends may call at the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, 3801 W. 26th Street on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, 1617 Walnut St. on Friday at 10:00 a.m. followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to SSJ Neighborhood Network, 425 West 18th Street. 26th Street, Erie, PA 16502. 

Send condolences at www.BurtonQuinnScott.com