Frackville Rotary
The Frackville Rotary Club honored Robert "Scoop" Savitsky as its Citizen of the Year on March 9 at St. Michael Hall, Frackville.
The dinner opened with the invocation by club Treasurer Karen Domalakes. Club member and Schuylkill County Judge John E. Domalakes presided as master of ceremonies and presented the award to Savitsky. Music was provided by Richie Molinaro and Mr. Lou.
A Frackville native, Savitsky graduated from Annunciation BVM School, Immaculate Heart High School and St. Francis College, Loretto, with a degree in business administration. He served with the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Police Unit from 1967 to 1970 and served two years in the Army Reserves from 1971 to 1972, after which he received an honorable discharge.
Savitsky was employed with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department as an auditor for 35 years, during which he assisted the FBI in developing evidence related to white collar crime prosecution. He received a written commendation from FBI Director William Webster for his assistance and training of their agents in the field of re-insurance fraud. He is a past member of the Society of Financial Examiners and attained the designation of certified financial examiner.
In Frackville, Savitsky served as Frackville T-ball assistant coach, Frackville Girls Softball assistant coach and CYO girls head basketball coach. He also served as president of Holy Family CYO.
He was a long-time member of the Frackville Lions Club, in which he participated in Memorial Park cleanups, nursing home visits and Lions Club Sports-A-Rama. He delivered food to the less fortunate each Thanksgiving and helped to plan the construction of the Frackville Memorial Park pavilion. He also served as food chairman for the Tina Dixon Cancer Benefit.
Savitsky is a member of Englewood Fire Company and has volunteered at its annual Memorial Day block party. He also assists the Frackville Elks Lodge 1533 with setting up tents for its fundraisers.
He serves as sergeant-at-arms for Knights of Lithuania Anthracite Council 144 and assists in the annual Lithuanian Days celebration at the Schuylkill Mall.
He is a volunteer worker at Annunciation BVM Roman Catholic Church, Frackville, and also volunteered as scorekeeper and timekeeper for Nativity junior varsity basketball games. He has served as chairman for the Nativity drama club fundraisers and hosted the entire cast and crew of the drama club.
Savitsky and his wife, Asseneth, have hosted exchange students at their home, and he has assisted Philippine/American groups in fundraising events.
The Savitskys have two daughters, Thenessa, a student at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and Danielle, a student at Clarion University.