Father Sauchelli, who was a retired priest of the Diocese at the time of his death, was born in Newark.  He attended Maryknoll Junior Seminary, Clarks Summit, Pa., before continuing his studies in Seton Hall University, South Orange, and completing his theology in St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore. He was ordained a priest May 25, 1963, by Archbishop Thomas A. Boland in Sacred Heart Cathedral (now Sacred Heart Basilica) in Newark.

Following his ordination, he spent seven years serving in a number of parishes in South Carolina. He returned to New Jersey in the early 1970s, serving in the Diocese of Paterson before arriving to the Diocese of Trenton. In the Diocese he was assigned to Immaculate Conception Parish, Somerville, which is now in the Metuchen Diocese. Subsequent parishes where he served included St. Veronica Parish, Howell, and St. Raphael Parish (now part of St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish), Hamilton, before he was named pastor of St. Joachim Parish (now part of Our Lady of the Angels Parish), Trenton.

In the 1990s, he joined the Intercessors of the Lamb, a Nebraska-based contemplative order, where he spent three years before returning to the Diocese of Trenton. He was assigned as parochial vicar of St. Paul Parish (now part of St. Katharine Drexel Parish), Burlington, and then as parochial vicar of Visitation Parish, Brick, where he served for more than 20 years. Though he retired in 2013, he continued to remain a part of parish life, assisting with the celebration of Masses in Visitation Church, as well as St. Justin the Martyr Church, Toms River, and Epiphany Parish, Brick.

Father Sauchelli was predeceased by his parents Anthony and Elizabeth Sauchelli, two brothers and two sisters. Surviving are his brothers Joseph (Lisa), Louis (Debbie) and Frank. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Father Sauchelli was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.