Steven Michael Napoliello of Springfield, VA, formerly of Cinnaminson, N.J., died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Greenspring Senior Living in Springfield, VA. Born on May 24, 1928, in Cedarbrook, NJ, he was the son of the late Isadore and Marie Ribecca Napoliello.

Steve was a 1944 graduate of Camden County Vocational School in Sicklerville, NJ, where he studied Aircraft Mechanical Technology, and graduated a year early at the age of 16. After being drafted and completing military service, Steve returned to Camden, attended a 1-year program to graduate High School in 1952, and immediately enrolled in Rutgers University while working part-time at RCA. While at Rutgers, Steve was elected president of his class at the Camden Campus, and president of his fraternity. He graduated Rutgers University in May of 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Steve served in the U.S. Air Force from 1946 to 1948. After graduating first in his class occupational specialty training, he was assigned to the 12th Air Sea Rescue Squadron, 3rd Air Force. He chose this route as it provided the fastest path to becoming a pilot, always his dream. Steve was awarded an Air Medal for recovering 29 soldiers from a DC4 crash in Labrador, Newfoundland, in -40F temperatures. He was also recognized for developing outboard rescue litter for the Air Force’s Sikorsky R-5E helicopter. Given the post- World War II drawdown, the opportunity to become a pilot closed, and Steve left the USAF at the end of his enlistment and returned to Camden, NJ, where he worked at RCA in radio manufacturing operations. This stay was short however, as Steve was recalled into the service from 1950 – 1951 and assigned to the 778th Air Control & Warning Squadron covering the Mid Atlantic, stationed at Montauk Point, Long Island, N.Y., to monitor Soviet bombers that routinely flew along the east coast of the U.S.

In July of 1954, Steve married Gloria Winters and was an active father of three, volunteering as a children’s baseball coach, and an assistant scoutmaster with the local Boy Scouts troop. Always patriotic and civic- minded, Steve served in many other community roles as well, including service within Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic parish, and within Cinnaminson, NJ as a zoning committee chairman, a member of the town council, and finally as deputy mayor. Steve worked full-time at RCA, rising into management and entering the emerging business of commercial computing, where he led teams that installed and serviced RCA computers in large U.S. businesses. Steve later moved to Sperry Univac and finally to Martin Marietta, where he worked until he retired in 1990.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. Steve is survived by his wife, Gloria L (Winters) Napoliello, along with his three children, Lisa (Ed) Wyatt, Mark (Lori) Napoliello, and Jeff (Michele) Napoliello; five grandchildren, Rebecca (Alec) Latimer, Matthew (Jennifer) Napoliello, Rachel Napoliello, Renee Napoliello, and Darren (Katie) Wyatt, along with two great-grandchildren. As one of thirteen children, Steve has many other family members scattered throughout the U.S. Funeral arrangements will be private and held on March 11, 2023. A celebration of Steven’s life will be held in May, associated with his 95th birthday. Please send any correspondence to Jeff Napoliello at 13149 Brushwood Way, Potomac, MD 20854, or to his email account jeffnapoliello@me.com. In lieu of flowers, please donate in memory of Steven M. Napoliello to the American Red Cross, at www.redcross.org.