November 30, 2012

WATERTOWN, N.Y.  —  Samuel Cavallario, 92, of Ogdensburg, died Friday, Nov. 30, at Riverledge Adult Home, Ogdensburg.

Calling hours will be held 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown. A prayer service will be 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the funeral home followed by the 11 a.m. funeral Mass celebrated at St. Anthony's Church. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery.

Born Sept. 16, 1920, in Watertown, a son of Carmello and Sadie Rizzo Cavallario, he attended Watertown schools.

On Dec. 9, 1942, he entered the US Army. He served in the 14th Armored Division, where he drove tanks. His duties included serving in Rhineland and Central Europe, and he was injured in the Battle of the Bulge on April 6, 1945. Mr. Cavallario received the Purple Heart, European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon with two service stars, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged as a Technician 5th Grade on Aug. 21, 1945.

Before and after World War II, he had worked at New York Air Brake, Watertown, and then with his parents and brother, he worked for Cavallario Bros. Produce Farm at 1000 Coffeen St. 

In 1950 he moved to Alexandria Bay with his brother, Joe, to start Cavallario Brothers Meat Market & Grocery. In 1956 he then moved to Ogdensburg and purchased Oscar's Tavern, now Oscar's Restaurant, which he ran until his retirement in 1978. Sam helped his brother, Frank, at Cavallario's Steak House in Alexandria Bay for several years, and then retired to take care of his brother, Joe. 

Over the years, Sam was known for his pizza and his special spaghetti and meatballs. 

He enjoyed golf, gardening, watching sports, and going to all his families' restaurants. 

He will always be remembered for his gentle, kind, and quiet nature.

He was a communicant of St. Mary's Cathedral, Ogdensburg. He was a life member of Elks Lodge, 722, VFW Post 2936, and American Legion Post 69, all in Ogdensburg.

Surviving are his long-time companion, Myrna O'Neil, Ogdensburg; his brother and his wife, Frank and Connie Cavallario, Alexandria Bay; two sisters, Mary Coleman, Depauville and Johanna Sboro, Watertown. 

Sam is also survived by his 22 nieces and nephews, Anthony Cavallario, Patricia Howell, Barbara Bowman, Ann Lyman, James Cavallario, Michael Cavallario, Joe Cavallario, Elsie Carrano, Sally Thuman, Peter Cavallario, Steve Cavallario, Vincent Cavallario, Andrea Spicer, Sarah Magoveny, Arthur Sboro, Steve Sboro, Cynthia Beattie, Leo Coleman, Diane Recupero, Christine Fields, Tammy Quinn, and MaryJo Wood; 44 great nieces and nephews, and 13 great great nieces and nephews. 

His five brothers died before him, Peter, 1956, Anthony, 1976, Vincent, 1984, Michael, 1987, and Joseph, 1994.

He was also predeceased by four nieces and nephews, Shirley Kozura, Carmen Cavallario, Carmen Penn, and Kathy Webb. 

He was affectionately known as "Uncle Sam" to hundreds of others.

Donations in his name may be made to either St. Mary's Cathedral Capital Campaign, 415 Hamilton St., Ogdensburg, NY 13669 or St. Anthony's Church, 850 Arsenal St., Watertown, NY 13601. 

Condolences to the family may be made at www.cummingsfuneral.com.

Information provided by Cummings Funeral Service and Newzjunky.com, Watertown