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Funeral services will be held Monday for a beloved longtime Edgewood School teacher, Richard Cavallaro.
Edgewood is in the process of planning its 100th anniversary. Cavallaro has been as much a part of the school’s history as anyone else. Principal Bonnie Pachesa posted the following announcing of his passing on the Edgewood School Centennial Celebration Facebook page:
“We are so sad that Richard did not make it to the Centennial. It was so important to him and certainly won’t be the same without him. Richard was the history of Edgewood and my good friend and mentor. He will be missed.”
Following is his obituary:
Richard C. Cavallaro, “Mr. C.”, 79, of New Haven passed away February 3, 2011 at his home. Beloved and most precious husband of Carolyn Rapuano Cavallaro, and father of Alicia (Andree Acampora), David and Leslie (Anthony Parillo). Born August 11, 1931 in New Haven, a son of the late Ciro and Antonetta Acampora Cavallaro. Brother of the late James (Buddy) Cavallaro and Nancy Marder. Survived by several nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and his little princesses Lauryn and Laci Giuliano who had given him much pleasure. Mr. Cavallaro was a lifelong resident and historian of Westville; he lived on the same street his entire life. He was a teacher in the New Haven Public Schools for 40 years, first at Nathan Hale School and then Edgewood School where he, his wife and children all attended. After retirement he acquired a grant from the William H. Graustein Foundation and returned to Edgewood to help create the “Kids as Curator” program with 3rd graders to help enhance their research and writing skills. He continued in that capacity for 8 years as a volunteer. In 2000, at the dedication of the rebuilt/remodeled Edgewood School-the first school to be completed as part of the Mayor’s school building program-the gymnasium/cafeteria was dedicated in his honor and named the “Richard C. Cavallaro Community Room.” He was a part time manager of the Old Heidelberg Restaurant, a family business. He was very involved in his community and was a Community Representative for Westville Community Nursery School. He served on the Parish Council at St. Aedan Church, was past president of the SCSU Alumni Association, and Member of the New Haven Cultural Affairs Commission. In 2010 he was honored with the New Haven Public School Foundation Alumni Legacy Award.
Funeral from the IOVANNE FUNERAL HOME, INC. 11 Wooster Pl. Monday morning at 9:15. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Aedan Church at 10. Burial in St. Lawrence Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Sunday from 2 – 6pm. Memorial contributions may be made to The New Haven Museum, 114 Whitney Ave. New Haven, CT 06510 or the Lustgarten Foundation 1111 Stewart Ave., Bethpage, NY, 11714.
My wife and I met in Mr. Cavallaro's combined 4th/5th grade class a little more then 30 years ago. Last year our son's 4th grade class was held in the very same room which survived the last round of renovations at Edgewood School. Mr. C. was deeply loved and respected by all who passed through his classroom. He was for many of us the very definition of what a teacher should be. We saw him last at a Yale Football game this fall where he lit up and immediately recognized and remembered us. He will be sadly missed in the neighborhood and among the Edgewood School community.
JMS