P.E. Frank E. Cavola

Frank E. Cavola, P.E.

Ventura, CA

Frank E. Cavola passed away peacefully in his "home away from home" on August 1, 2018. He was 95.

Frank was born on March 16, 1923, in Los Angeles, CA, the oldest of Frank and Melanie Cavola's four children, and a member of the "Greatest Generation". He was raised in the cities of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, CA, and joined the Navy shortly after graduating high school. He met Helen, his wife of 63 years, in South Gate, CA, and married her in 1944, a month before deploying to the Pacific during World War II as an Electrician 1st Class on minesweeper USS YMS 317. Frank and Helen raised 5 boys.

He is survived by his sons Ray and Ron; daughters in law Nina, Debi, and Jennifer; sister Lillian Cavola; grandchildren Stephen and wife Maria Elena, Laura, Christopher, Amy, Cameron and wife Lyndsey, Lisa, and Ryan. He also leaves behind great grandchildren Sydney, Brooklyn, Scarlett, Elle, Jayden, Lilly, Jesse, Nikolai, Kylie, Olivia, and one great, great grandchild, Makayla.

After the Navy, Frank enrolled in and graduated from University of Southern California with a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering. He pursued a very successful engineering career at Southern California Edison, with over 30 years of service before retiring in 1983. Frank loved his family, and his many, many friends. There was no stranger to Frank Cavola. He and Helen enjoyed travel; they took their boys on many camping adventures, and later in life traveled to different countries. After losing his wife, Frank traveled with Ron and Debi to his motherland, France and Italy. An avid golfer and craftsman, he loved teaching and guiding his sons. He coached Little League baseball, and spent many years with his boys in the YMCA Indian Guides. He was also very active in his 50 years living in the Ventura community: he taught Electrical courses at Ventura College, volunteered with Ventura Parks and Recreation, Kiwanis, and Ventura's College United Methodist Church.

Growing up during The Depression, Frank experienced many challenges, particularly in how he was raised by his parents. This upbringing significantly impacted his views on parenting and committed Frank to a more-enlightened set of family values, and his sons benefited greatly as a result. Despite his father's resistance, Frank devoted himself to, and saw the value in, education. Education was instrumental in raising his and his family's living standard. His family will be forever grateful. For those who knew Frank Cavola (Mr. Frank, as he was known at the Benton House), he was a great man with a very soft heart, fun-loving, jovial, and just a little bit talkative.

A graveside ceremony, including military honors, will be held 2 pm Monday, August 6, 2018, at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura. To celebrate Frank's life, a memorial service will immediately follow the gravesite service, 3 pm at College United Methodist Church in Ventura.

The family wishes to thank Longleaf Hospice, the Benton House and Beacon, and the Visiting Angels team for their love, care and compassion, especially the last couple months. In lieu of gifts or flowers, donations can be made to College United Methodist Church.