Carmelo Cavallo

With heavy hearts and deep love, we share that Carmelo “Carmine” Cavallo passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026 with his eternal love and wife of 53 years, Dolores (Desiderio) Cavallo, by his side.

Carmelo is survived by his wife, Dolores, his children Christopher and Dina, and his five grandchildren, Michael, Emma, Hunter, Carly & Abigail; sister Laura and her late husband Walter; brother Robert and his wife Susan; brother John and his wife Deborah; brother-in-law Joseph and his partner Mark; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Carmelo was predeceased by his parents, Giovanni and Maria; parents-in-law, Jospeh and Marie Desiderio.

Carmelo was born in Vizzini, Sicily, Italy on September 11, 1946 to Giovanni and Maria Cavallo. He migrated to the Unites States with his family in 1960. He remained a proud Italian citizen his entire life.

Carmelo met his wife, Dolores, in 1973 and they married and lived in Brooklyn, New York. Dolores was his rock and his best friend. Together they built a life filled with love, loyalty, and beautiful memories surrounded by their large extended families.

They raised their family in South Orange, NJ and became active in the community through their store, Streamers, located in South Orange Village. In 1997, they moved to Point Pleasant, NJ, where they enjoyed the beautiful ocean surroundings and lived close to relatives. In 2005, after welcoming three grandchildren in just three months, Carmelo and Dolores moved to North Carolina, where they were blessed with the opportunity to watch all five of their grandchildren grow up.

Carmelo placed family above all else. Alongside Dolores, he frequently traveled to support their children and grandchildren, making sure to attend every game, celebration, and important event. His grandchildren were especially dear to him, and moments like sleepovers, holidays, and weekends spent cheering them on at sports or activities brought him great joy. Carmelo was always willing to drop whatever he was doing to help and support them with love and pride.

Family gatherings were among Carmelo’s greatest joys – he loved when everyone was together in their home. Carmelo proudly served as Dolores’s sous chef in the kitchen, helping prepare the meals that brought everyone to the table. And when the meal ended, he was often the last one in the kitchen, quietly cleaning up and allowing everyone else to chatter and relax.

Carmelo was also known for his sense of style. He favored Italian clothing, shoes, and his signature dark sunglasses-even at night. Carmelo loved watching sports, especially soccer and football, and was a Jets fan – a true testament to his patience and loyalty.

Above all, Carmelo will be remembered for his gentle nature, his witty one-liners, and his deep love for his family. In his final words, Carmelo shared that he hoped he had left behind a legacy of love. Anyone who knew him knows that he did.

A mass will be held at St. Raphael Catholic Church on Tuesday March 17, 2026 at 11 am.

In lieu flowers, donations can be sent to the American Kidney Fund or St. Jude. Children’s Research Hospital.