Thomas M. Cavaliere Sr. 89, a lifelong resident of West Haven beloved husband of 63 years to Alice Pregman Cavaliere passed away quietly after a long courageous fight with Amyloidosis of the heart on November 18, 2016 in the West Haven V.A. Hospital.
Thomas was born in New Haven on April 25, 1927 son of the late Michael and Maria Forte Cavaliere. Thomas served in the Merchant Marines during the Korean Conflict, and was a 35 year Army Reserve Master Sergeant. Thomas was a proud member of the Allingtown Volunteer Fire Department for many years. Thomas worked for the Clarkson Company as an auto mechanic before opening his own Tune Up Shop in Allingtown, West Haven in 1963 until his retirement in 1984. He was a competitive horseshoe player and an avid deer hunter who also hunted moose, bear and other wildlife. His true joy was playing the accordion, rich with Italian music, a lifelong pursuit from his military service until just a couple of years ago. He frequently entertained at area convalescent homes and played at thousands of weddings, Italian gatherings, and neighborhood parties across many state lines. His music and entertainment style was always the life of the party.
Loving father of Thomas M. (Cynette) Cavaliere Jr. of Rochester, NY. Rosemarie (Wayne) Hansen of Guilford and Michael (Wendy) Cavaliere of West Haven. Grandfather of Dane Hansen, Amber (Paul) Sheldon, Desirae Hansen, Thomas M. Cavaliere III and Victoria Cavaliere and also survived by several nieces and nephews. Brother of the late Marie Perry, Rose Nardini, Ann Zipperstein and Vincent and Joseph Cavaliere.
His funeral procession will leave the Porto Funeral Home, 830 Jones Hill Rd., West Haven Wednesday morning at 9:15 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Paul’s Church at 10:00 A.M. Interment with military honors will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday from 5pm to 8pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Boston University School of Medicine Amyloid Research Fund 72 East Concord St. K-503 Boston, MA 02118. Sign Thomas’s guest book online at www.portofuneralhomes.net
Published in The New Haven Register on Nov. 21, 2016
