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Joseph D. "Joe" Servello, 93, of Altoona, passed away Wednesday. He attended Emerson Grade School and Roosevelt Junior High before graduating from Altoona High School in 1950.
He worked at the Pennsylvania Railroad shops in Juniata until joining the U.S. Navy in 1951. During his service, he was stationed aboard the USS Oriskany on the East Coast and the USS Pine Island in the Far East.
After his military service, Joe attended Penn State University on the GI Bill, where he studied art under Edwin Zoller. He spent four summers as a counselor, artist, teacher and mentor at a Quaker boys' camp in the Pocono Mountains.
Joe worked as a graphic artist at Penn State intermittently for five years before traveling and studying in Europe on a fellowship in 1959. He later became WPSU's first art director. In 1966, he began a four-year career as a professional Equity actor, performing off-Broadway, in summer stock and in regional theater. Afterward, he worked as a freelance illustrator while teaching part time at private schools on Long Island and in Philadelphia.
Throughout his career, Joe illustrated more than 50 books for major publishers, collaborating frequently with author William Kotzwinkle. He also continued painting easel works for numerous public and private collections, as well as murals in New York City, Long Island, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Penn State and Altoona. In addition, he taught art and drama part time in Arts in Education programs and at Penn State Altoona.
Joe is survived by his loving family, including his daughter, Maria Servello; his sister and brother-in-law, Noreen and Daniel Civiello; and several nieces and nephews, including Michael Civiello and Noelle Civiello Maher.
He was predeceased by his sister, Patricia.
Donations in Joe's memory may be made to The Altoona Area Public Library, 1600 Fifth Ave., Altoona, PA 16602. (altoonalibrary.org/support-library/donation-form)