Obituary of Anthony V. Saviano

Anthony V. Saviano, age 57, of Fairfield, beloved husband of Natalie Schlenk Saviano, died suddenly on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at his residence. Born in Bridgeport on May 5, 1953, he was the son of Augusto and Wanda Santagata Saviano of Pietramelara, Caserta, Italy. He played football and was team captain for and graduated from Bullard Havens Technical Institute. He received an Associate of Architectural Engineering from Norwalk State Technical College and Bachelors and Masters degrees in Architecture from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. He also participated in continuing education at Harvard University. He was awarded a four year scholarship to Syracuse University which he declined as he did want not to be too far away from his future wife. Mr. Saviano was a Registered Architect working in the architectural field for over 30 years. He was a former Principal and Director of Operations of the NYC Office of IA-Interior Architects, and a past Professor at F.I.T. SUNY in New York City where he was a committed educator teaching Materials and Methods, Working Drawings, and Building Regulations. Mr. Saviano was involved with many projects over the years including serving on the NYC Landmark Preservation Committee. He was involved with major aspects of the Denver International Airport renovation and many Fifth Avenue high end store designs. He was also a flight kitchen specialist designer for many major airlines. He was a frequent guest critic for major art schools and lecturer. Mr. Saviano was a member of the American Institute of Architects, The National Society for Historical Preservation, as well as many other affiliations within his field. Anthony together with the New York design tean of IA- New York where the recipients of Interior Design Magazine 2010 Baest Design Large Space for the Bank of Columbia of Metadine, Columbia. Tony was an avid traveler and enjoyed traveling throughout Europe, the U.S. and Hawaii with his wife and children. He was a history buff and enjoyed reading, hunting and music. He most enjoyed spending time with his family and going to see his nephew Matthew mostly every Sunday where they discussed movies and movie history.

In addition to his wife and parents, survivors include two sons, Evan M. Saviano and William A. Saviano of Fairfield, a brother, Vincent Saviano and his wife Carol of Sandy Hook, a sister, Catherine Ziebell of Seymour, and two aunts, Hortensia Squillaciotti and Concettina Mitrano of Italy, his father-in-law William F. Schlenk, Sr. and his wife Dorothy of Stratford, brothers and sisters-in law, James and Karen Schlenk of Bridgeport, Barbara and Samuel Zewe of Houston, TX, William Schlenk, Jr. of Milford, Leonard Schlenk of Bridgeport, and Susan and William Smith of New Hampshire, his nieces, Amanda, Rachel, Nicole, Erika, Dee and Alisha, nephews, Nicholas, Alex, Justin, Dylan, a great niece, Erin, two great nephews, Steven and Kieran, and a special Uncle Fred Pettinelli and Godson Daniel Russo, whom he loved as a third son. He is also survived by many cousins in Italy.

Mr. Saviano was pre-deceased by his mother-in-law, Natalie Battista Schlenk.

Mr. Saviano is a descendant of the Blessed Modestino of Jesus and Mary, a priest of The Franciscan Order of Friars. Fr. Modestino was beatified at St. Peters Basilica on January 29, 1995. 

Funeral services will take place on Monday, February 7, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Fairfield for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Friends may call on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a memorial scholarship fund at FIT in Anthonys name c/o Takashi Kamiya, Chair, FIT/Interior Design Department, Seventh Avenue at 27th Street, New York, NY 10001.