Philip Michael Saviola

Philip Michael Saviola was born on June 6, 1956, in Flushing, New York, to Michael and Isabelle Saviola. He was a true New York guy who loved the Mets, pizza, black and white cookies, and riding on the subway. He graduated from Queens College with a degree in Accounting, but on a road trip to Florida to visit his relatives, he happened to pass by the University of South Florida at night with the Sun Dome all lit up. He was hooked and went in the next day to meet with the dean of the College of Business, and subsequently, he moved to Tampa to attend USF where he received his MBA in Finance. After a short stint at the Small Business Development Center where he worked as a counselor, he joined the Internal Revenue Service where he spent the next 39 years of his career. He loved his job and his colleagues, and his wife, Lisa, used to tease him that he was the only individual in the world who thought a conversation centered around the US Tax Code was interesting!

While he was working at the Small Business Development Center, he met his wife, Lisa, who had started as a student assistant. It was not quite, but almost, love at first sight. They began dating, and about 3 ½ years later, they got married in May of 1987. They were the love of each other’s lives and best friends forever. Their daughter, Katherine, was born in August of 1993, and their daughter, Allison, was born in March of 1996. This big, tough New Yorker immediately turned into the best girl dad anyone could ever have. More than anything else, Philip just loved spending time with his family. Midnight movies, board games, going on day trips, and just being with all three of his girls was his idea of a perfect day. He immersed himself in his daughter’s lives. He would volunteer to coach their volleyball and basketball teams, he went to watch them at gymnastics and ice skating, he attended every school play, Christmas program, and spring musical, and when they both became high school cheerleaders, Philip became one of the most recognizable people in the stands as he attended almost every single football and basketball game Cambridge Christian played at over a 7-year period. Whether it was a home or away game, you could always find Philip in the stands watching his daughters cheer. He loved his son-in-law, Michael, like a third child, and he was so incredibly thrilled when he became a grandfather for the first time last year. He couldn’t wait to teach Vail all about sports, especially baseball and basketball.

Philip was a very simple, humble guy who didn’t have fancy, extravagant tastes. He and his wife, Lisa, loved midnight car rides together, a green tea lemonade at Starbucks, and going to Lettuce Lake Park to look at nature. Every year, there was always some television show that was their favorite, and they loved to sit together and sing its theme song when it would come on TV. If they were together, Philip was content and happy. He was a loyal employee, a caring boss, a true friend, and the best father and husband anyone could be. This world truly lost an incredible individual, but Heaven just gained an angel who has a bit of a New York swagger.

Philip is survived by his wife, Lisa Saviola of Tampa, Florida; his daughter, Katherine McDermott, of Lehi, Utah; and his daughter, Allison Saviola, of New York City, New York; and a precious little grandson, Vail Brooks McDermott, of Lehi, Utah. The family would like to thank all their friends and colleagues for their support and love over the years.

A visitation for Philip will be held Wednesday, August 16, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Blount & Curry FH-Carrollwood, 3207 W Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL 33618, followed by a funeral service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

If you would like to make any memorial contribution in Philip’s name, please feel free to contribute to either the March of Dimes or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Philip loved kids, and he thought very highly of these organizations, especially the March of Dimes.