As young boys, brothers Anthony and Pascal Canavo, ’55, immigrated to the United States with their parents, Josephine and Salvatore, from Repuesto, Italy in 1948. With little more than the clothes on their backs, the family set off in search of a better life.

They built a better, yet simple, life in Philadelphia. After earning his degree in physics from La Salle, Pascal worked as an engineer for the Naval Air Development Center in Warminster, Pa., for over 45 years. Anthony was a Private in the U.S. Army serving in the Korean War. He later worked as a machine designer at Tinius Olson Company in Horsham, Pa., for 38 years.

Perhaps inspired by their humble beginnings, the brothers worked hard, invested wisely, and saved their money. Neither Anthony nor Pascal ever married and they remained fiercely close. They even owned homes with adjoining backyards, yet they chose to live together, just as they did in childhood.

Pascal believed everything he had in life was because of the education he received at La Salle. His affinity to his alma mater was so strong that when planning their estates, the brothers ensured their legacy would live on at La Salle by leaving all their assets to the University upon their deaths.

It was not until Pascal’s passing in 2005 that La Salle learned of the brothers’ wishes. Anthony died in 2008 and it took seven years to settle the estate. Just when the estate’s attorney and executrix believed they accounted for all the brothers’ assets, they would uncover more. In all, the Canavo brothers left $4.8 million to the University, the largest bequest in La Salle’s history.

With the donation, two funds were developed—the Canavo Professorship, which funds faculty development and research within the sciences, and the Canavo Science Student Scholarships. This year, 17 La Salle students received scholarships, totaling over $100,000.

“I feel both lucky and extremely appreciative to receive the Canavo Science Scholarship because of the generosity of the Canavo brothers,” said student Anthony Kelly, a junior information technology major. “Because of the scholarship, I am able to earn my education with a reduced financial burden while helping me towards my goal of ultimately earning my Ph.D., and giving back one day as a teacher.”

Thanks to their selflessness and prudent planning, Pascal and Anthony Canavo have helped provide the American dream of a quality college education for generations of La Salle students to come.