Nicholas Cavallaro

CAVALLARO, Nicholas age 88 of Largo passed away peacefully on Aug 14, 2013 from natural causes surrounded by family and under the care of Hospice House Woodside Pinellas Park. Mr Cavallaro was born in Morgantown, WV on Aug 13, 1925, and was a childhood friend with movie and television actor Don Knotts. He enlisted in the Navy and honorably served during WW II. He graduated from the University of West Virginia with a degree in physical education. In 1954 he married Dorothy L Ledford and had 3 sons, Dan, Jerry, and Ted. During this period Mr. Cavallaro held various officiating and coaching positions in Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio. In 1960 he moved the family to Chiefland FL and worked at Chiefland High School for 3 years as head basketball coach. During this time daughter Vicki was born in Gainsville. In 1963 Nicholas accepted the position of athletic director at the newly built Clearwater Central Catholic High School, and served as the Athletic Director for over 30 years in addition to coaching basketball and other sports. His teams won a total of 335 basketball games and made the state playoffs four times. For his distinguished services, Mr Cavallaro earned the following tributes: Nominee for the National High School Athletic Coaches Assoc Athletic Director of the Year 1982, Florida High School Activities Assoc Athletic Hall of Fame inductee 1992, National High School Athletic Coaches Assoc Athletic Director of the Year Award (Region 3) 1993, Florida Athletic Coaches Assoc Coach of the Year '75-'76, Clearwater Central Catholic Hall of Fame 2001, Florida High School Basketball State Championship '76. He was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Sunshine Football Officials Assoc Clearwater, and charter member for the FIAAA. Mr Cavallaro served the FHSAA in hosting numerous softball, volleyball, and soccer tournaments. The gymnasium at Clearwater Central Catholic is named in his honor. Survivors include children Dan, Jerry, Ted and Vicki; grandchildren Katie and Ryan; sister Rose Marie Weimer; sister-in-law Jean; his former wife Dorothy Chambers; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by parents Larry and Mary (Bruno) Cavallaro and brothers Fred and Sammy. A funeral Mass is scheduled for Sat Aug 17th at 11 am at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1955 Belcher Road South, Clearwater, FL 33764. Funeral arrangements by Moss Feaster Funeral Home Serenity Gardens Chapel in Largo, 562-2080, www.mossfeasterlargo.com. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Cavallaro Scholarship Fund c/o Clearwater Central Catholic High School 2750 Haines Bayshore Road Clearwater FL 33760.