Helena Marie Gaviola, who had lived in Montauk for many years, died on Monday, October 4, 2021 at home in Stuart, Fl., where she lived since 2014. She was 89 and had been ill with cancer for eight years.
"Helena was a true class act with grace, beauty, and charm," her family wrote. "She was always the life of the party and the first one on the dance floor."
Helena was born on Feb. 11, 1932, in Manhattan to Joseph Hogan and the former Mary O'Dea, both of whom had emigrated from Ireland. Her maternal grandfather, William O’Dea, sold his pub in Headford, County, Galway, Ireland in 1905 to the Heneghan family who still own and operate it today as the Angler’s Rest Hotel. Helena’s most recent of 3 trips there was in September, 2019 where she met, chatted, and had her picture taken with the First Lady of Ireland, Mrs. Sabrina Higgins.
Helena grew up in the Bronx, where she attended St. Simon Stock School. She loved to dance and took ballet, tap and toe for over 10 years before working at the NBC television network in New York from 1950 to 1953. She married David Gaviola on Oct. 24, 1953. They lived in Yonkers and North Babylon before settling in Dix Hills, NY.
With their growing family, Mr. and Mrs. Gaviola began visiting Montauk in 1967, spending time at the original Soundview Cottages and the Snug Harbor Motel and Marina, where they docked a sportfishing boat.
The family developed such a fondness for the hamlet that Mrs. Gaviola decided, in 1974, to build a house on Lake Montauk. Helena and her family became year-round residents soon after. She and her five children had numerous jobs in Montauk, including at Gosman's Dock and on charter fishing boats. Helena and the late Roberta Gosman Donovan, of Gosman's Restaurant, were close for almost 50 years, sharing an appreciation for their Irish heritage.
Helena worked at the Snug Harbor Motel and Marina, the Culloden House Motel, Finest Kind Wine and Liquor, and Gaviola's Market, and was a member of the Montauk Historical Society.
Mr. Gaviola died in 1982. Even after Mrs. Gaviola moved to Stuart, Montauk always remained a part of her, her family wrote. She loved seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A world traveler, Helena visited 22 countries. She was an excellent bridge player and enjoyed fishing, dancing, casinos, reading, and the ocean, her family said. “Mom was one of a kind, funny, had a great sense of humor, and lived a wonderful life filled with fond memories”, they said.
Helena Gaviola is survived by her children, Maureen Gaviola of Pompano Beach, FL, Joseph Gaviola of Montauk, NY, Dennis Gaviola of East Hampton, NY, Kathleen Gaviola VanVelsor of Stuart, FL. and David Gaviola of Tampa, FL.
Five grandchildren also survive. They are Bobby VanVelsor of Seymour, CT., Christina Gaviola of Dunbar, WV., David Gaviola of Sag Harbor, NY Nicole Kokenos of Milford, CT., and Nicholas Gaviola of Marina Del Rey, CA. Two great-grandchildren, Charlotte VanVelsor and Lucas VanVelsor, also survive, as do seven nieces and nephews. Two brothers, Thomas Joseph Hogan and William Hogan died before her.
A beautiful funeral Mass was offered at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Montauk. Burial was at Fort Hill Cemetery, also in Montauk, up on the hill overlooking the water she loved.
Her family has suggested memorial contributions to the Montauk Lighthouse at donations.montauklighthouse.com.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5