Carol Cavallo

Carol Cavallo, age 81, passed away peacefully at home, with her husband of 47 years, in Pompano Beach, Florida on March 21, 2019.
Born on April 10, 1937 in New York, New York to Helen and Chester Reed, Carol attended boarding school at Sherman Park Seminary in Port Henry, New York and graduated from the Holy Name School on 97th Street in New York, New York.
Carol was a beautiful young women who loved fashion and was always dressed to the nines in the most popular trends. She had an affinity for all things modern, owning a tangerine Grand Torino, a round bed and a zebra striped couch.
Though Carol's first marriage to Brendan J. Casey would end in divorce, Carol and 'Brennie' would have three children, Joyce, Brendan Rourke and Laurie. Carol's children along with their families would be Carol's lifelong pride and joy.
Carol met the love of her life, Andrew 'Andy' Cavallo, while bartending, in Westchester County, New York. Despite her warning Andy on the day they met that he shouldn't fall for her as she was "nothing but trouble", Carol and Andy became best friends, fell in love and opened a business together, the White Bridge Tavern in Yonkers, New York. They later married in a small service on the beautiful green back lawn of an Orange County Judge's home.
Carol was intelligent, hardworking, and always challenging herself. She returned to school at Orange County Community College as an adult and earned her Associates degree. She was an extraordinary example to her children, nieces and nephews, demonstrating time and again that education is important and it is never too late to change paths. After completing school, Carol became a real estate broker, first selling real estate in New York in the boutique firm of Elizabeth Gretch and then later with Caldwell Banker.
Carol and Andy raised Joyce, Brendan Rourke and Laurie in Monroe, New York until 1988 when they decided to leave the cold winters behind and move south to Florida where they purchased a condo at South Point on the Galt Mile in Fort Lauderdale Beach. Carol and Andy began selling real estate at Atlantic properties.
However, once Joyce, her eldest, had their first grandchild, Michele, and was expecting her second, little Rourke, Carol and Andy moved north again. Nana and Papa as they were affectionately known to their grandchildren moved to South Jersey and began running a hotel in Cape May. They loved being close to the grandkids but eventually the winter proved too much and they were back in the Sunshine state, ultimately settling in Cypress Bend in Pompano Beach. This final move brought them closer to their youngest daughter Laurie and grandchildren, Camryn and Faith, as well as close to the casino, where they enjoyed the slots!
Carol was a practicing Catholic attending church with her family at Saint Mary's in Washingtonville, New York. It was there that she began the family tradition of gathering after mass for hard rolls, eggs, bacon and Danish. In Florida, Carol joined the parish of Saint John the Baptist on Bayview Drive but ultimately settled at the parish of Saint Henry's Catholic Church, where Andy is an usher; they attended mass there every Sunday at 10am. The after mass tradition continued in Florida at Laurie's house, where a delicious brunch would be served.
Carol was a strong, independent woman ahead of her time in many aspects of her life journey. She was a fighter to the end, a woman with spirit, humor and a zest for life that will transcend death.
Carol is preceded in death by parents; Chester and Helen (Mitchell) Reed, sister, Trudy Neilson, and brother in law John Neilson, brother, Chester Reed and sister in law Helen Reed.
Carol is survived by husband Andrew, daughters, Joyce and Laurie, son Brendan Rourke and daughter in law Jill, grandchildren Michelle, Rourke, Camryn and Faith, nieces Debbie, Donna, Holly, nephews, Robert, Richard, Paul, Steven, Joseph, and first cousins Richard, Ross and Laurie. As well as many second and third cousins, great nieces, great nephews and beloved friends, relatives; and extended family

Please join us in celebrating Carol's life at a Funeral Mass service on
Friday April 12, 2019 at 10am at
Saint Henry's Catholic Church 1500 SW 12th Avenue Pompano Beach, FL 33069.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to one of Carol's three favorite charities: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Shriners, or Wounded Warrior Project.