The Cavallario Family and Friends

Established in 1995 by more than 50 contributors, the Carmen A. Cavallario Memorial Fund was set up after Mr. Cavallario’s tragic death at 45 in an automobile accident. As of August 1996, the funds were not appropriated.

Born January 3, 1950, in Watertown, New York, Carmen A. Cavallario was the oldest of six children of Vincent C. and Andriana Palumbo Cavallario. He graduated from Watertown High School (1968) and from Jefferson Community College (1971), before attending Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. He married Suzanne M. Schneider on October 7, 1972, in Watertown, New York, and the couple had three children, Andrew, Vincent and Catherine.

After completing two years at Northeastern, Mr. Cavallario and his brother Vincent operated a grocery store in Watertown. He then launched a successful career in the restaurant business, following the path of his family, who owned restaurants in Northern New York since the 1950s.

At the time of his death, Mr. Cavallario owned Yesterday’s Restaurant and the Cadillac Club in Watertown. He was also involved in several Cavallario restaurants in Alexandria Bay, New York, including Casa Di Pasta Restaurant and the Riverboat Restaurant and Bar. Mr. Cavallario was president of the Jefferson County Restaurant and Tavern Association. In a Watertown Daily Times article, Yesterday’s Head Chef Michael Gokey said Mr. Cavallario was a ‘very easy-going boss. He would do anything for you.’

Apart from the restaurant, Mr. Cavallario involved himself in the community. He cosponsored a midget league baseball team with Wendy’s restaurant and volunteered as a basketball coach at the YMCA. His generosity also extended to to nonprofit organizations: He often contributed free dinners as agency prizes or sponsored teams.

‘He always had a smile on his face,’ said his mother. ‘Even if he had a million things on his mind, he always had time to listen and to smile.’

Mr. Cavallario died February 9, 1995, in a multi-vehicle pileup on a snowy highway in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Cavallario were traveling home after a vacation in Mexico. He is survived by his wife and three children, his mother, three brothers and two sisters.

The Jefferson Community College Foundation is grateful to the Cavallario family and friends of Mr. Cavallario for generously supporting this fund.