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BORN
1934
DIED
2022
FUNERAL HOME
Donald Cavalero Obituary
Born in Butler, on March 22, 1934, he was a son of the late Samuel Cavalero Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Fetterman Cavalero.
He was employed for 35 years as a school teacher at Butler Junior High School.
He was a devoted and faithful member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Bones graduated from Butler High School in 1952, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1956. He was an outstanding basketball player in high school and college. A four-year letterman at IUP, he was inducted into the Butler Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1994, and the IUP Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.
He served for many years as an assistant basketball coach at Butler High School. He was also an avid golfer.
He was a past president of the Butler Area Sports Hall of Fame.
Since 1994, Bones was a dedicated volunteer with Butler Meals on Wheels. He was a proud member of the Pennsylvania Voters Hall of Fame, an acknowledgment of his voting in 50 consecutive years of primary and general elections.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Maxine Freehling Cavalero, whom he married on April 22, 1960; three sons, Jeffrey Cavalero of Butler, Randal Cavalero and his wife, Diane, of Butler, and Stephen Cavalero and his wife, Renae, of Butler; two grandchildren, Shannon Cavalero of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Tanner Cavalero of Butler; two brothers, Gordon Cavalero of Butler, and David Cavalero of Butler; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Samuel Cavalero Jr.; and two sisters, Patricia Schaffer and Chervyl Leonard.
CAVALERO - Friends of Donald Lee "Bones" Cavalero, who died Tuesday, May 31, 2022, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at MARTIN FUNERAL HOME, 429 Center Ave., Butler.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 201 W. Jefferson St., Butler, with the Rev. David M. Phillips, senior pastor, officiating.
Burial will follow in Butler County Memorial Park.
Please visit www.martinfh.net.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Cavalero
Albert F. Spencer
January 20, 2024
I just learned of Donald Cavalero's passing. He was my mentor (supervising teacher) when I taught at Butler Jr, High in 1965. He was definitely one of the best teachers I ever met. He was an outstanding role model. I taught for almost 60 years and was very blessed to have known him.
PeggyMallis
October 5, 2022
Me Cavalero is the only teacher who's name and personality I remember from Jr High. He said "SOMEDAYS YOU GET THE BEAR, AND SOMETIMES THE BEAR GETS YOU." He was a kind person and a great teacher. My condolences to all of his family. He impacted the life of many students in a very positive way.
Gary Poole
June 22, 2022
Dave, Gordie
Just found out of the passing of Donnie. Although it has been many years I still remember him and his mild demeanor and nice guy that he was. My condolences to the families
Laura obrien
June 3, 2022
Sorry for your loss. I remember him walking the mall, always smiling.
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Ed Demmy
June 2, 2022
So sorry to read of Don's passing. Every time you had the good fortune to chat with Bones was a pleasant experience. The smile and the laugh. One of those nice people we never forget. Deepest sympathy to the family.
Cheryl Campbell
June 2, 2022
So many great memories with you at BJHS. Remember all your help and advice my first years in the yellow brick building. Condolences to family.
jim vensel
June 2, 2022
steve,so sorry for your loss.
Cecilia Snodgrass
June 1, 2022
My sympathy to the family. He wad always kind to me and my students. God bless his soul.
Toni Grupp
May 31, 2022
Sue, sending my deepest sympathy to you and your family.
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