Obituary of Rev. Donato P. Silveri

Reverend Donato P. Silveri
 

Called home into the presence of the Lord, May 6, 2026.

Born May 16, 1929, the second oldest of six children to an Italian immigrant, the late Camielle (Tom) and Mother Ida (D’Antonio) Silveri.  Raised in Philadelphia, PA he attended Overbrook High School where he played football, studied Latin, and higher mathematics and later studied in Rome and earned a Master of Arts.

He started his early career as a paperboy becoming the branch manager with in two years, and upon graduation became a delivery boy for a butcher shop.

He entered U.S. Army serving in U.S., Japan, & Korea where he used his meat cutting trade. While in the army he became a recruiting sergeant for the Army and went into the legal department where he worked trading north and south POW prisoners. While there he met up with his brother Tommy working as an Engineer. When he returned from Korea, he worked with his dad pouring concrete.

At 23 he decided he wanted to become a priest and was ordained, from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on his birthday May 16, 1964. In the early years Father served Philadelphia Archdiocese at King of Peace Church and St. Michael of the Saints, Germantown.

Cardinal Kroll asked Father if he wanted to return to service in the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps where he served two tours in Vietnam. He brought the men of the Infantry Division Artillery fire support bases Catholic services at least once a week, but it could have been as many as 20 with Easter being a busy time-- but every fire support base was visited because men at the fire support bases did not have the opportunity to get into base camp for services. They had to wait for the Chaplin to visit them. Sometimes he went from gun to gun talking to every man where he helped to improve moral just by talking about what was happening back in the world. The battery commander would let the chaplains know when the best time was to conduct services, but fire missions were sometimes called in the middle of a service, and the men scrambled to their guns. After the fire mission was over, and on at least one occasion after, Father Silveri, with assistance carried a soldier (Uriel Robles Bañuelos) near death to the aid station near the chopper pad across the fire support base from the artillery battery, only to resume services.

Young Donato followed the advice of a beloved teacher to see the world. When in the service, he spent time in Germany, Turkey, Greece, and Italy just to name just a few locations. Over his 21-year career in the Army he rose to the rank Army Colonel.

Returning stateside he became the Pastor of Saint Mary Magdalen De Pazzi Parish in Philadelphia where he rode along with the Philadelphia Police, and even rode with veterans on the back of a motorcycle supporting Rolling Thunder to publicize the veteran issues.

He also served the Holy Savior, Norristown community, and later served as Chaplain–Southeastern PA Veteran’s Center where in September 2013 along with the Four Chaplain Foundation and others sponsored the dedication of the stained glass featured in the Center’s chapel. Later in 2015, he was a Hall of Fame inductee.

He retired September 2012 while serving at Saint Joseph Church, Spring City. He also celebrated his 50th Anniversary of Ordination in the Priesthood at St Joseph Church in 2014. That is now 61 years as a priest (1964-2025).

Donato is reunited in heaven with his late brother, Thomas Silveri, and his three sisters, Jennie Campanaro, Florence Levito, and Marie Fratto.

Survived by his brother, Anthony Silveri of West Chester and Rafaline Dill Domizio of Exton, PA. Along with many nieces and nephews (too many to count).

All are welcome to attend a visitation Monday, May 12 from 6:30 – 8:00 PM at the St. Joseph’s RC Church, 3640 Schuylkill Road, Spring City, PA 19475.  The Rosary will be prayed at 7:45 PM.  On Tuesday, May 13 his Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be prior to the Mass from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM at the St. Joseph’s RC Church. Full military honors and interment will be held at the Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery,1600 Sproul Road, Springfield PA 19064.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to The Memorial Fund of Rev. Donato Silveri c/o St. Joseph’s Church, 3640 Schuylkill Road, Spring City, PA 19475.  Online condolences can be made at www.sgsfuneralhome.com.