Mr. Pavis and his twin sister, Monica, were born on April 4, 1961, the youngest of nine children of Mary and Robert Pavis.
He grew up in a three-story house in Great Kills, graduating from St. Clare School, Moore Catholic High School and the College of Staten Island, where he earned a bachelor's degree in electronics.
He worked for the Otis Elevator Company in Manhattan for a short time before suffering a back injury.
After deciding on a career switch to teaching, following in the footsteps of an older brother, Mr. Pavis earned bachelor's and master's degrees in education from CSI.
In September 1996, he began a 16-year tenure at Egbert Intermediate School, Midland Beach, where he used his passions for technology, film and music to engage students and teach them Social Studies.
Athletic and energetic, Mr. Pavis was an avid hiker, camper, skier and fisherman. He enjoyed traveling throughout the country.
His sister, Marian Carney, recalled his keen appreciation for the arts — for museums, theater and opera — and his "beautiful, infectious smile."
Monica Pavis recalled her twin brother's interest in concerts. "Madison Square Garden was our second home," she said.
Mr. Pavis's twin brothers, Matthew and Stephen, recalled his gift for storytelling and lively discussions about politics and music.
"He was a great guy who liked to laugh and appreciated life," they said.
In addition to his sisters, Monica Pavis and Marian Carney, and brothers, Matthew and Stephen, Mr. Pavis is survived by two more brothers, Vincent and Robert; a sister, Barbara Marino, and a stepdaughter, Kristine Philips. Another brother, Gerard, died in 1982.
Arrangements, which include private cremation, are being handled by the Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home in Great Kills. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18