Joseph J. Corvi, 92, literary burglar

Joseph J. Corvi, 92, a retired rigger who wrote a book about his stints in prison, died Saturday at Broomall Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

After an earlier stint at Graterford Prison, Mr. Corvi spent eight years at Eastern State Penitentiary in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia for being what he called "an uninvited guest."

In 1949 he was convicted of committing a series of burglaries in Germantown and on the Main Line. He would wait until twilight and break into homes where lights weren't flicked on, or he would rob a home on Sunday morning when the owners were at church. Over two years, he stole $100,000 worth of goods, including mink and leopard coats, jewelry, silver, and Dresden china, according to newspaper accounts.

In 2002, Mr. Corvi cowrote Breaching the Walls with Steve Conway. The book chronicled Mr. Corvi's experience as a prisoner at Eastern State from 1949 to 1957 and two stints at Graterford. Though some of the inmates at Eastern State were mean characters with nicknames like Botchie, the Saint, Blue Jack, and Big Jesse - a loan shark with a bad temper - Mr. Corvi told an Inquirer reporter in 2004 that he'd never wanted to leave. He read and played handball and had a job in the office, his daughter, Jennie Colianni, said.

After he was released from Eastern State, Mr. Corvi worked as a rigger, setting up machinery and equipment. In April 1958 he was arrested again after he was caught in his new Chevrolet Impala admiring 145 pieces of gold, diamond, and pearl jewelry he had stolen from the wife of a restaurant owner in South Philadelphia. He was held without bail in Moyamensing Prison and broke both legs jumping from a wall in an escape attempt. After his conviction, he spent several years in Graterford.

Mr. Corvi grew up in South Philadelphia with four siblings. His mother died when he was 6, and he was raised by his father. In 1933, he was a 16-year-old student at South Philadelphia High School when he was arrested for stealing money and champagne from the South Broad Street home of Republican party boss William S. Vare. Vare interceded, and the teen was released. Two months later, Mr. Corvi was caught shoplifting. According to newspaper accounts, he was sent to reform school after his father marched him to a police station and said, "Here's my son. Keep him if you can. I can't."

"He was very smart and passed the entrance exam for Drexel's engineering program," his daughter said. He liked the challenge of being a burglar, though, she said. He never carried a gun and would never hurt anyone, she said.

Mr. Corvi retired as a rigger in 1982. He was a longtime member of the Riggers and Machinery Movers, Local Union 161. He lived in South Philadelphia until moving to the Broomall center a year and a half ago. He had been something of a celebrity at the nursing home since selling and signing his book at a flea market there in May, his daughter said.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Corvi is survived by a son, Joseph; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. His wife of 57 years, Esther Ercolani Corvi, died in 2000.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Bernadette Roman Catholic Church, 1035 Turner Ave., Drexel Hill. Friends may call from 9 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Breast Cancer 3-Day, P.O. Box 650543, Dallas, TX 75265-0543. Mr. Corvi's granddaughter is participating in this event in Philadelphia in October.  Please write her participant ID number, 3080125, on the memo line on the check.