2018 NJSPBA Valor Awards
“I’m fortunate to have Chief Conforti, who allows me to do
these things for the organization,” he recognizes. “He’s a big part
of what I’m able to do, but bigger than him is my family. My wife,
Cheryl, has been dealing with this for more than 20 years, and
she’s my First Lady when we have Local parties. I have a great
family, and the first thing my wife said (when I told her I was re-
ceiving this award) was, ‘Your kids will want to come.’ They were
all really happy and proud.”
Cheryl admits that those early years were “super hectic” as they
were raising their children. After all, Joe’s the kind of guy who, “If
you call him, he’s there in a minute, day or night,” she confirms.
“On 9/11, as hairy and upsetting as it was, Joe packed a bag and
said, ‘I have to go.’ Even this past August, we were in Florida, and
when (Fort Myers Officer Adam Edward Jobbers-Miller, a Wayne
native) passed away, Joe rented a car and drove so he could be
there to help serve food. That’s the way he is. The phone rings
and he just goes.”
Within Local 53, Savittieri of course handles contract negotia-
tions, assists officers when they are called to IA and brings back
knowledge from State PBA meetings to disseminate to his mem-
bers.
“It’s important for me to obtain as much information as I can
about what the State PBA is attempting, from legislation all the
way down to discounts at car dealerships,” he explains.
In addition to National Night Out, Trunk or Treat, the Easter
Egg Hunt and other Local 53 community events, perhaps Savit-
tieri’s greatest success is how he helped grow the Montclair San-
ta Run. What started years ago with a day of delivering presents
to about 80 homes now takes four days, as Local 53 members
spread cheer to 600 families.
“Joe coordinates elves and Mrs. Claus and he gets a lot of re-
spect for all those things,” attests Montclair SOA President Dan
Eng, the Local 53 State Delegate while Savittieri was Local pres-
ident. “Joe took me under his wing and showed me the ropes.
When I got promoted, he took over and he took the Local to a
whole new level. The State PBA recognizing him means the
world to him and all of us. I’m as happy as he is. It’s a really good
feeling.”
So what is it that drives Savittieri to give of himself 24 hours a
day for 24 years?
“I believe in the brother and sisterhood,” he states. “We have
each other and sometimes that’s all we have. I’m there for our
members in thick and thin and will do anything I can to make it
a better job for them. It’s who I am. I was very humbled and over-
whelmed that (NJ State PBA President) Pat (Colligan) and (Exec-
utive Vice President) Marc (Kovar) decided to give (this award) to
me. I really appreciate that they recognize what I do.”
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