Joseph A. Salvato

Joseph Anthony Salvato of Arlington Heights, IL passed away on September 4, 2025 surrounded by family on his 78th birthday. He was born on September 4, 1947 to Katherine and Joseph Salvato in the tightknit community of south Rockford, IL, where he was raised and made many lifelong friendships.

Joe attended St. Anthony of Padua’s Catholic School in Rockford and has been a man of devout faith ever since. He went on to Boylan Catholic High School before receiving an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and returned for an MBA there as well.

For much of his career he developed technology based products and businesses for the medical, biotechnology and electronics markets. He worked for EMI, Duncan Industries and Amoco Technology Corp before transitioning into education. Joe was a substitute teacher for many years across High School District 214, and taught a wide variety of math, science and technology courses. He was also a devoted volunteer with the WINGS organization for over 20 years.

Joe had a genuine love of fine art: the history, the technique, the breadth of places it could take you and the emotions it could evoke. To step into the Salvato home is to feel this instantly. If the TV was on he was watching hockey games or classic movies, and a perfect day for him involved simply a home-made espresso and visiting with company on the back patio.

But above all, Joe was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, cousin and uncle. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathy; son, Joe; sister, Kathleen (Peter) Gieschen; nieces and nephews Rena (Keith) Weller, Maria (Lance) Williams, Tom (Carrie) Gieschen, and many other extended family members. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother.

He was a man of intelligence and humor, with a warm and welcoming personality that made him a friend to all: neighbors, colleagues, students, fellow volunteers and so many others. He reveled in striking up conversations with anyone and everyone, and he will be dearly, dearly missed.

A visitation for Joe will be held Wednesday, September 10, 2025 from 4pm to 8pm at Glueckert Funeral Home with a Wake Service beginning at 7:00 PM (led by Fr. Charles Becker), 1520 N Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004. A Funeral Mass will occur Thursday, September 11, 2025 from 11am to 12pm at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church, 434 W Park St, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. A Graveside Service will immediately follow the Funeral Mass from 12:45pm to 1:15pm at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, 1185 Algonquin Rd, Palatine, IL 60067.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Joe’s name to The Poor Clare Colettine Nuns at Corpus Christi Monastery, 2111 S Main St, Rockford, IL 61102.