Joseph Novello Sr., 90, sales manager

Joseph L. Novello Sr., 90, of West Chester, a petroleum engineer who became a sales manager for an encyclopedia company, died Sunday, March 10, at the Neighborhood Health Inpatient Hospice in West Chester.

Mr. Novello retired as a regional sales manager for Encyclopaedia Britannica Films Inc. in 1987 after leaving a career as a petroleum engineer for Standard Oil Co.

He made the switch in the early 1950s, when he was notified that he would be transferring from New York to a facility in the West.

"He changed jobs so that his family could stay close to other relatives," said his daughter Mary Novello. "He always put his family first."

At Britannica, Mr. Novello, a longtime resident of Devon, sold educational films to school districts and supervised a sales staff.

Mr. Novello was born April 9, 1922, in Elizabeth, N.J., the son of John and Adelina Novello.

He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School, where he was on the basketball team. He also enjoyed tennis at local YMCAs.

Mr. Novello attended Pennsylvania State University for two years before volunteering for the Army Air Forces during World War II.

While in the service, a fellow soldier from his hometown introduced him to his sister, Alvina "Dolly" Palladino. The couple married in 1949 and raised a family in Cranford, N.J., and Devon.

Mr. Novello served in the Army Air Forces' Weather Service in Asia, earning the rank of captain. After several years in the military, Mr. Novello returned to Penn State, where he earned a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering.

Mr. Novello went to work for Standard in the late 1940s.

An avid reader, Mr. Novello enjoyed books on U.S. history.

In his later years, after moving to Wellington at Hershey's Mill in West Chester, Mr. Novello joined a thespian group, the Hershey's Mill Players.

"This winter, he played a cowboy in a local production," his daughter said. "He was singing and dancing - a little slower than some people."

He was a member of Daylesford Abbey in Paoli.

Mr. Novello also was a film buff who enjoyed critiquing movies of all sorts.

"He loved the history of films, and films made by the great directors," his daughter said.

She said Mr. Novello also had a great sense of humor. "He could get you laughing, whether you wanted to or not."

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Novello is survived by daughters Elaine DeVirgilio, Diane Spaeth, Judith Morrison, and Andrea Reese; a son, Joseph Jr.; 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. His wife died in 2006.

A Memorial Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, at Daylesford Abbey, 220 S. Valley Rd., Paoli, Pa. 19301. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Daylesford Abbey.

Condolences to the family may be offered at www.maugergivnish.com.