Servello, best known for his Altoona-themed artwork and children’s book illustrations alongside author William Kotzwinkle, died Wednesday morning. He was 93.

Local residents and colleagues said Servello was a contributor, helper and friend who had a unique vision of Altoona which he shared through his art.

Kotzwinkle said Servello was his teacher in many ways because he gave “me the sense to believe in myself.”

Glow of talent

Altoona artist Joe Servello describes his work on the Bishop Guilfoyle Academy nativity scene that he created 30 years ago to the school’s art students in 2023. Mirror file photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Born in Altoona in 1932, Servello worked at the Juniata railroad shops before joining the Navy in 1951. After his service, he attended Penn State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in art education in 1959.

At Penn State, Servello met Kotzwinkle, who characterized him as a “young and handsome” man at the time, mentioning that he had a “glow of talent” around him.

“His eyes were very penetrating because at the same time he was looking out, he was looking in,” Kotz­winkle said, comparing Servello’s eyes to the eyes of late artist Pablo Picasso. “They burn with intensity.”

After graduation, Servello worked at Penn State as WPSU’s first art director until 1965, when he moved to New York after being cast in an off-broadway production of “The World of Gunter Grass.”

Later on, he worked as an illustrator for many of Kotzwinkle’s children’s books and novels, such as “Trouble in Bugland,” “The Day the Gang Got Rich” and “Herr Nightingale and the Satin Woman.”

Local artist Joe Servello paints inside his Altoona studio in 2022. Mirror file photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Throughout their joint careers — publishing 13 books together — Kotzwinkle said that they wrote about the “magic of childhood.”

“And I said we caught it,” he said.

Kotzwinkle said every time he visited Servello in Altoona, he left with an idea.

He remembered his first novel, “The Fireman,” which Servello also illustrated.

Kotzwinkle said the image of the fire engine was like a “secret,” and Servello understood it, adding that the illustrations were “truly mystical.”

Local artist Joe Servello paints inside his Altoona studio in 2022. Mirror file photo by Patrick Waksmunski

He said he didn’t know if he would “have a career without (Servello).”

Kotzwinkle’s wife told him that Servello was his “lucky charm.”

“That’s irreversible. You don’t get more than one,” he said.

Altoona artwork

After returning to his hometown for good, Servello wanted to “paint as much of Altoona as he could,” Kotzwinkle said, mentioning the railroads, houses and streets.

Joe Servello holds an Altoona Almanac he had illustrated in his home studio in 2009. Mirror file photo by Patrick Waksmunski

“He could’ve labored for months on one painting, but then he couldn’t have given the people of Altoona his vision,” Kotzwinkle said, as Servello has various murals throughout the city.

One of his original pieces can be found at the Altoona Public Library depicting various children’s literature characters in the scene, library Executive Director Jennifer Knisley said.

The work brings in people that remember it being created when they were kids, she said, and now “they’re bringing their children and grandchildren to remember that mural as well.”

For the library’s 95th anniversary, they awarded Servello the novel award, while he gifted the facility with a sculpture of Captain Ahab from Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick.”

According to Knisley, the statue was originally an imperfect piece of marble, but Servello’s “creative mind” saw Captain Ahab.

Joe Servello works with pen and ink in his home studio in 2009. Mirror file photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Inside of her office also hangs another Servello painting picturing the house that used to occupy the property before the library was built.

“It’s gorgeous, and I am lucky that I get to look at that every day,” she said.

Multi-media artist Kevin Kutz said his favorite Servello work is the mural located inside the Altoona Amtrak station.

Kutz admired the piece of art because Servello worked for the railroad at one time, giving him the “license to depict it and its history.”

While being an admirer, he was also recently able to help Servello finish his final art piece titled “The Philosopher,” along with artist Tom McCarty.

The unfinished carving was found while friends were packing away his items before moving him into Garvey Manor in Hollidaysburg, according to a previous Mirror article.

ArtsAltoona Vice President Kathy Muller said when they found the piece in his home, they “wanted to do something with it.”

At first, Kutz said he was reluctant to touch the carving “unless I had Joe’s blessing,” which Servello gave easily.

Prints and shirts of “The Philosopher” are being sold by ArtsAltoona until Oct. 20.

Honoring his legacy

Muller directed and produced a documentary about Servello’s life in 2024.

Describing him as “bright, generous and kindhearted,” Muller said Servello was also “very community-oriented,” which is highlighted throughout the documentary.

Muller met Servello in the mid-1980s after he moved back to Altoona. They became good friends while Muller bought and promoted his works.

“If everyone was able to make an impact on their community and the world like Joe did, the world would be a much better place,” she said.

Servello was a “wonderful person,” Kotzwinkle said, adding that he was a “beautiful guy, and the ladies loved him.”

When meeting the artist for the first time, Kutz said he felt an immediate “kinship” between them since he grew up with a strong Italian influence, adding that he was glad he had the opportunity to get to know Servello.

Muller said ArtsAltoona plans on hosting a celebration of life for Servello in the future.

“He was so much more than an artist and an illustrator,” Muller said.

At Servello’s request, there will be no services.

Donations in his memory can be made to The Altoona Area Public Library, 1600 Fifth Ave., Altoona, PA 16602 (altoonalibrary.org/support-library/donation-form).

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.

Joe Servello works with pen and ink in his home studio in 2009. Mirror file photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Altoona artist Joe Servello speaks after receiving the Altoona Area Public Library Novel Award during the facility’s 95th anniversary event in 2022. Also pictured are board president Patrick Fanelli and executive director Jennifer Knisely. Mirror file photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Workers from Cooks Painting and Renovation begin installing panels on the side of the Mishler Theatre in 2014. The artwork was done by Altoona artist Joe Servello, after which the work was converted into vinyl panels by Jack White Signs. The finished mural is about 30 foot tall. Mirror file photo by Gary M. Baranec