Frank J. Cavaioli with Kenneth Cutler {courtesy}
By Agrippina Fadel
Professor Frank J. Cavaioli, a beloved local writer and historian, died on November 4. He was 92.
The funeral mass is held at the Mary Help of Christians Church on Thursday, November 10, at 11 a.m.
An Aston Gardens resident, professor Cavaioli has lived in Parkland since 2013. After starting his career as a high school teacher in North Massapequa, NY, in the 1950s, he worked as a professor of history and politics at Farmingdale State University, NY, for three decades and authored several books, including one on the history of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea and another about Pompano Park Harness Track.
Born on January 7, 1930, in New York City, professor Cavaioli married Lorraine Blake on June 21, 1952.
He was predeceased by his wife Lorraine, his sister-in-law Christine Kovacs LaPadula, his parents, Anna Capoccia Cavaioli and Frank Cavaioli, and his brother Raymond Cavaioli.
Professor Cavaioli is survived by his children: Karen Philips, Kevin Cavaioli, Linda Bertman, Diane Chambers, Frank Cavaioli, and Christine Skrypek; his grandchildren: Kerry Gerlach, Katherine Grefe, Lindsay Kettler, Regina Miller, Monica Cruz, Brian Bertman, Jamie Bertman, Kyle Chambers, Amanda Chambers, Samantha Cavaioli, Jack Cavaioli, Katherine Skrypek, and Jenna Skrypek; and his great-grandchildren: Madeline Macke, Owen Gerlach, Blake Gerlach, Zoey Cruz, Wade Cruz, Dillon Kettler, Davis Kettler, and Mae Grefe; his brother-in-law John LaPadula; his nephews, Stephen LaPadula and Andrew LaPadula; and his niece Suzanne Saslofsky.
He received his bachelor’s degree at the University of Tennessee, followed by a master’s degree and Ph.D. from St. John’s University, NY.
Earlier this year, professor Cavaioli co-authored a book with Parkland Vice Mayor Ken Cutler, a 300-page long “A History of Parkland, Florida.” Published in August, a portion of proceeds from the book sales will go to the Parkland Historical Society to continue developing its archives and preserving the city’s history for generations to come.
“Frank was an absolute gentleman. He was passionate about history and a great teacher. I will miss him dearly. We had a wonderful and interesting collaboration writing the book. It was a treasured time I will always remember,” Cutler said.
Professor Cavaioli was a member of the American and American Italian Historical Associations, the Organization of American Historians, the Immigration History Group, and the National Association of Interdisciplinary Studies.
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