Saverio Maietta OBITUARY
Saverio Maietta passed away peacefully in Los Gatos, California on September 6, 2024, at the age of 95. He was a man of great integrity and strong character who always had his family's best interests at heart. Saverio was physically active well into his 90's and enjoyed gardening and doing home projects. Saverio was born on August 14, 1929, in Avella, Italy. He was the second of nine siblings and grew up during a time of scarcity and instability brought on by the Second World War. Although his family's farm helped keep food on the table, rationing and trading food crops became a necessity. In 1948, he joined the Italian army where he further strengthened his integrity and discipline values. In 1957, Saverio met and married his wife Angela, also from Avella, who has been the love of his life for 67 years. Over the years, he had learned the art of the agriculture business. Saverio was a master at tree grafting and was one of the first farmers to have diesel powered farm equipment in his area. He used his talents and equipment for hire during the off seasons to earn extra money. However, Saverio had his sights on much greater aspirations. In 1966, Saverio immigrated to the United States along with his wife and two children. They settled in San Jose where his parents and several siblings had already immigrated to. His goal was to provide a better life and opportunity for his family. Education was important and he and his wife began attending adult education night school to learn how to read, write and speak English. In 1976, Saverio and his family became USA citizens through the naturalization process. This was a personal and proud achievement for him and he immediately registered to vote in the upcoming presidential election. In pursuit of a better life and opportunity for his family, Saverio found his first real job in 1967, at Western Microwave, making power supply distribution cables for the computer industry. Saverio continued his education and in 1969, landed a much higher paying job as a machinist at Federal Pacific Electric Company which manufactured large electric power transformers. After 24 years, he retired from this company at the age of 65. In Saverio's post-retirement years, he enjoyed gardening and working on home improvement projects. His workmanship was always top-notch and there was nothing that intimidated him. He had a passion for agriculture and his backyard was a lush garden, always filled with multiple fruit trees, which he grafted himself, and fresh vegetables. He enjoyed being a master gardener at the Wallenberg Community Garden where he enjoyed sharing his plantlets, organically grown produce and agricultural techniques with family, friends and the garden community. Saverio was preceded in death by his parents, Michele and Andreana; his brother Pasquale, and sisters Francesca and Filomena. He is survived by his beloved wife, Angela; his devoted children, Andreana (Michael) and Michael (Carrie); his four loving grandchildren, Mark (Sarah), Stephen, Michael (Alexis), and Gianna; and his two great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Norman. He is also survived by several of his siblings, Maria, Antonio, Michele (Sharon), Carmella (Steve), and Lucia; and many wonderful nieces and nephews in the USA and Italy. Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Memorial Mass that will be held on Monday, September 30, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Christopher Catholic Church, 2278 Booksin Avenue, San Jose, CA, followed by a lunch reception. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Christopher Catholic Church or American Stroke Association.
