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With five children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild to love and nurture and nine volunteer positions to tackle, 83-year-old Theodore Scairato Sr. deems each day a call to maximize one’s time for the benefit of others. Using his belief and value systems as inspiration, he seizes any chance to chart an advantageous course for his Marconi neighborhood, keeping apathy dormant and positivity vibrant.
“You have to help people, and I would do anything to assist someone,” the resident of the 2900 block of South Sydenham Street said. “Nothing is a paying job, but everything offers a payoff for my heart.”
Except for his 1950s United States Marine Corps duties, the octogenarian has resided in South Philly his entire life. Having worked in graphic arts until his retirement two decades ago, he has designed his turf’s future through prominent affiliations with, among others, St. Richard of Chichester Church, 18th and Pollock streets, and the Sports Complex Special Services District, 3300 S. Seventh St.
“My involvement essentially comes through my church,” Scairato said of the worship site, for which he has served as president of its Society of the Holy Name and home and school association. “This is a unique area of South Philly, and I’ve met many great folks through that parish.”
Furthering his civic sojourn, the lively individual is enjoying his 12th year as the District IV director for the aforementioned entity, with his combined community endeavors including charity drives, cleanup efforts, community improvement projects such as playground upkeep, athletic fundraisers and tree plantings. Tasks benefiting children have proven especially heartwarming for Scairato, whose own tight-knit clan, which lost his wife, Edith, eight years ago, reminds him of the potential of youth.
“Education is definitely key,” the alumnus of Edward Bok Technical High School, formerly 1901 S. Ninth St., said, adding he has loved working to help St. Pio Regional Catholic School, 1826 Pollock St., and F. Amedee Bregy, 1700 Bigler St. “Anything to be of help makes me feel good.”
Having left the spotlight for others to bask in, Scairato found himself shocked to learn of his difference maker selection.
“I’m definitely honored, though,” he said. “It’s satisfying to be a resource for my neighbors.”
Contact Managing Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
2013 Difference Makers
/ Bruce Baldwin / Anthony Benedetto Sr. / Lou Berman / Beth Coleman /
/ Diane DellaVella / Phyllis DiLemmo /
/ Roe and Jim Gallo / Tyrique Glasgow / Ali Hackett / Deborah Holmes /
/ Kat Kendon / Harry McKay / Jaime Pannone / Juanita Perkins-Qui /
/ Gaetano Piccirilli / Megan Rosenbach / Ted Scairato Sr /
/ Rich Sisman / Dan Stevenson / Paula Terreri / Lynn Oakes West / Lawrence Whitaker / Robert Wilbowe / Ilene Wilder /
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