Richard Joseph Cavallaro

Richard Joseph Cavallaro, aged 98, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on March 5, 2024, at the Tibor Rubin Veterans Administration Medical Center in Long Beach, California. He had been in long-term care at that facility for about two years.

Richard was born in Rochester, New York on September 5, 1925, the second-youngest child of five siblings.

As a patriotic eighteen-year-old in 1943, Richard enlisted in the United States Army to fight during WWII. He was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, and the famous 101st Airborne "Screaming Eagles" Division. Richard made thirteen jumps from troop carrier planes  into combat zones. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge where he and his comrades were cut off from food and support for many weeks. Richard was also a part of the D-Day invasion force; he and his comrades parachuted behind enemy lines and had to fight their way back to their own troops. He was honorably discharged as a PVC (Private First Class) in 1946.

During his military service, a stand-out moment for Richard occurred when he was serving as Honor Guard in Germany. He had the opportunity to greet and briefly speak to General Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during WWII and a future U.S. President. Richard had fought in many battles, most notably the Battle of the Bulge,. When General Eisenhower asked him if he had been afraid during that battle, Richard replied, "I only fear God."

Richard was a devoted son to his parents and a devoted brother to his sister and three brothers, all of whom predeceased him. He was a loving father to his three children and doted on his grandchildren. But the greatest love he had was for his wife Renée. Richard was by her side through every procedure, test, and operation during her multiple hospital admissions, even sleeping in her hospital room overnight in a chair whenever he could. She passed away in 2007 and though he was heartbroken, he believed they would be reunited in Heaven.

Richard is survived by his three children: Lynn Marie Cavallaro, Richard Joseph Cavallaro (Holly), and Michael Richard Cavallaro (Caroline). He is also survived by his six grandchildren and three great-grandchidren: Valerie Snyder (David), Anne Qin (Alex), Kara Tomich (Brandon), Mia Cavallaro, Ian Stiles, Evan Stiles, Dominic Cavallaro, Elyse Snyder, and Luca Tomich.

Richard Cavallaro's viewing service will be held on April 1, 2024 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at Luyben Dilday Mortuary, 5161 E. Arbor Rd, Long Beach, CA 90808.

His funeral mass will be held on April 2, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Hedwig Catholic Church, 11482 Los Alamitos Blvd, Los Alamitos CA 90720.

Following the funeral, Richard will be buried with military honors at 12:00 pm at All Souls Cemetery, 4400 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807

His memory will live on in the hearts of his loved ones, as they remember the remarkable man he was.

May he Rest in Peace.