Obituaries

Concetta Teresa Saporito, 78

December 27, 2013

Concetta Teresa Saporito (born Tarantino) of Manheim, PA, born April 21, 1935, died on December 27, 2013 of natural causes.
Connie Saporito leaves behind a legacy of music which spans eight decades. She was a world-class performer, director, arranger and, most notably, an educator. Countless students and many who performed under her skilled baton, from the late 1950s until shortly before her death, continually speak of the impact she has had on their lives, both musically and in many other ways as well. For a full biography of Connie’s illustrious life and career, please visit her tribute website: http://www.thesaporitos.com/connies-legacy.
Connie was preceded in death by her husband, Gabe Saporito, August, 2009. She is survived by two children, daughter Concetta Alpers who lives with her husband, Bill Alpers, in Lancaster, PA, and son Gabriel Saporito who lives with his wife Laura and family in Philippi, WV. Connie was also the loving grandmother to two grandsons, a granddaughter-in-law, and four granddaughters. She was a fierce fan of them all.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11AM on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at St. Richard Catholic Church, 201 Adele Ave, Manheim, PA with Rev. Francis Menei as Celebrant. A viewing will be from 4-7PM on Monday, December 30, 2013 at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, and again from 10-11 at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be held private at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Concetta’s memory may be made to the ALS Association, 27001 Agoura Rd, Suite 250, Calabasas, CA 91301.

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Condolences to the Family

January 12, 2014

My condolences to Concetta and Dave on the loss of their mother, Connie.
Mae Schurko

January 06, 2014

My condolonces to the entire Saporito family.   As a young girl, I was a piano student of Connie’s.  I was only six years old and took lessons at her home in Totowa, New Jersey.   I was one of her last few piano students, since she focused more on the accordion.  I was her last student on Saturdays, at which time I would go shopping with Connie and Gabe to the markets in Paterson.   I usually spent the afternoon with them (they were just newlyweds at the time).   I continued to take lessons until Connie moved to “The Music Box” in Wayne for her lessons.   At that time, my Dad said it was too long a ride to go to Wayne, so I no longer took lessons from Connie.   I have wonderful memories of her kind and giving ways.  I LOVED to practice.  Connie put me in a recital at Wayne High School.  My thoughts are with the entire family.
Carol (Sidney) Pillion

January 02, 2014

To the Saporito family, my husband and I are so sorry for your loss.  She gave me a life worth living.     First, as my teacher, then as my life-long friend.  Because of her, I met and  married my wonderful husband. She was an extraordinary musician, teacher and conductor.  I am trying to console myself with the knowledge that she is so much happier in heaven with Gabe, her parents, and others that preceeded her to Heaven.  
To Connie, I love you and miss you terribly. Until we meet again……..
Chris and Bob Bergensten
 
 

January 01, 2014

Dear Concetta and Gabe,
Your Mom was an important part of our lives. We were so happy and honored to have had her as our Matron of Honor at our wedding. We shared many wonderful times with her, through music and friendship. She was talented and kind, generous in every way. She was a special person and the memories will live in our hearts forever. One more beautiful soul has found its way to the heavens. We know that she is with Sonny, safe in the arms of Jesus, together again in peace and good health. God bless you and your familes.
Love,
Jeannie and Bob Wieme

January 01, 2014

Please accept my condolences on the passing of your wonderful mother. “Sap” was more than my teacher…she was a role model, a mother figure, an inspiration. I was so delighted to reconnect with her at Mark’s summer party a few yrs ago. I am honored to continue her legacy in my own small way as a dance teacher. she will live in my heat forever.
Jill (Nemirow) Nelson

December 31, 2013

Dear Concetta, Gabe, Joanne, Mr. & Mrs. Tarantino – to you and your families I extend my deepest sympathies. Connie had a powerful musical and personal influence on so many people, and I am very privileged to be one of them. First as a teacher, then as a friend and colleague, she always was there in the good times and not so good times. Her laughter was contagious, and when you would talk with her you’d get the feeling that you were the most important person in the world. 
God Bless her as well as you all.
Anne Simon

December 31, 2013

Our Sincere Condolences to Concetta, Gabriel, and their families, for the passing of their mother Connie.  It was a life well celebrated and it will continue in celebration, in the presence of God and His Holy Kingdom with those loved ones, who have preceded before.  Memories and wonderful stories of her life will always remain here, and in the hearts of all those who loved and shared with her in life.  God’s love and the love of others that surround you, will bring you comfort and peace during this time.    The residents, here at Brookshire, were lucky to have her as a neighbor and friend, and she truly touched some lives, while living here.
She will be missed!!
Deb & Ken Minnerly

December 31, 2013

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. We are sorry for your loss.Frank and Margit Mazza

December 30, 2013

Memories of Aunt Babe will live on with us forever. She was a charm to our family, an uplifting spirit always.
There’s nothing like a Tarantino. I feel privileged to have grown up in such a wonderful family.
God bless all of you,
Cousin Camille and family

December 30, 2013

Connie “Sap” Saporito joined the teaching staff at Montville High School my junior year. Right from the start, her gifts and talent were revealed, and they had an impact on us. She challenged us to learn and perform an enormous amount of music (God, I wish we could find those concert tapes!), and there was an energy to her that was exciting, and, of course, her laughter was contagious.
 
With Sap around, the music wing became a place to hang out for me, and there was always a collection of students in her office, telling stories, making jokes, sometimes listening to music … she was fun to be with. Our Christmas concerts were marathons, and our spring concerts were epic. Our poor parents sat through some of the longest shows. I don’t know how they did it.
 
“The Music Man” was my  vocal coming out party as the bass Olin Britt in the show’s barbershop quartet. Once that group was formed – “The Four Score”, there wasn’t a day that went by that we weren’t singing together or learning a new song that we debuted singing for the secretaries in the principal’s office. And Sap was right there throwing the fuel on the fire with “Rigoletto’s Quartet” and Battle Hymn of the Republic. Sap and the Four Score, and the show cast members all became close friends and get-togethers soon moved from the high school to her home where we met Sonny and the kids.
 
Sap invited us into her extended family from there. We did a lot of shows together from all the HS musicals to dinner shows at “The Big Meatball” to the stairwells at Carnegie Hall when she took us to see The Boston Commons and other great groups. The circle of friends grew and grew, and parties and after-show treks to IHOP were common high school activities. And Sap was at the epicenter of all the festivities.
 
Music was always a theme to our get-togethers, but we did other things, too, like chasing ghosts from Sap’s house. She and Sonny had an old house that was questionably haunted, and we had some good times attempting to solve that mystery.
 
Sap helped me with stuff like my college applications. She came with me to Carnegie Hall to accompany me during a live audition and helped me put together audition tapes.  I also went with her to William Paterson U to turn pages for her for college friends she accompanied in recitals, too. She did a lot for me to expand my knowledge of music, really so much more so that the average teacher does, I think. And I think she was like that because she loved us like a mother, and like a true friend.
 
I cannot thank her enough for what she did for me personally. She made me laugh. She inspired me. My life is forever blessed to have had Sap as my friend.
 
–  Sam Alvine  –

December 30, 2013

   My sincere condolences to Gabe, Concetta, and their families. Connie was a fine musician, inspirational teacher, and I was proud to call her my friend.
   Sincerely,
   S. Robert Morrell

December 30, 2013

I have enjoyed getting to know Connie this last year. It seems like we knew each other forever. I know the great love she had for her family. I loved hearing about her life and of those that she loved. I am in awe of the life she created with her loving husband. May God hold her tight in His loving arms because it is sure hard to let her out of ours.
She has made an impact on my life that I will be forever grateful for. 
Love truly and sincerely,
Cat Minnerly
P.S. Kaylie and Cara are taking great care of Sonny. <3 I am so happy to have that part of her. He sings all the time.

December 29, 2013

Dear Concetta and Gabe and family  The last few months have been very difficult for all of you and you have always made the best choices for her  care of your mother We will always remember How talented your mother was and how many lifes she touched with her love and knowlege of music.  You will all miss her but you will always have fond memories  Deepest Sympaty  Bob and Barbara   

December 29, 2013

We have been blessed to experience Mrs. Sapporito’s talent through her talented son, Gabe. Her talent will live on for generations. Thoughts & prayers are with you all.
Rev. Jim & Suzy Erb

December 29, 2013

I am so very sorry for the loss to the family of such a lovely person. May God comfort you all.

December 29, 2013

What a wonderful woman. I will always remember her extremely strong but kind personality.  She will truly be missed.
Kevin Barker II

December 29, 2013

We offer the Saporito family our heartfelt sympathies for the loss of your mother and grandmother. May you be comforted by the grace of God and by the full life she led and contributions that made.

Daryl Hall and Family

December 29, 2013

Dear Gabe and family…. so sorry for the sadness at the passing of your mom. She sounds like she was an amazing woman — not surprised, she raised an amazing son. Hugs to all of you with prayers of comfort….
love,
Karen Fawcette

Visitation
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
St. Richard Catholic Church
201 Adele Ave.
Manheim, PA
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Visitation
Monday, December 30, 2013
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
3110 Lititz Pike
Lititz, PA 17543
Map and Directions

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Services
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
11:00 AM
St. Richard Catholic Church
201 Adele Ave.
Manheim, PA
Map and Directions

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