Charles Louis Caravati

1938 - 2017

Charles (Poppy) Louis Caravati, Daytona Beach, passed away on Sunday, May 14 from cardiopulmonary complications, with family and friends at his side. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 5 at 11:00am at St. Brendan's Catholic Church, 1000 Ocean Shore Boulevard, in Ormond Beach, FL. Visitation will be held on Sunday June 4 from 4pm - 7pm, at Haigh-Black Funeral Home, 167 Vining Court, Ormond Beach, FL. Charlie was born on January 17, 1938 to the late Charles and Leonora Caravati in Torrington, CT. He and his sister Anne attended Torrington High School together. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting in 1959. In 1961, he entered the U.S. Army where he served on active duty and in the Army Reserve. On May 13, 1961, he married Eileen Mary Farley in Torrington, and the couple remained married for 51 years until Eileen's passing in July 2012. Charlie was an outstanding husband, remarkable father, a loving grandfather, generous son, and faithful servant to his family, friends, parish, profession and community. His engaging personality and bright smile endeared him to young and old alike, and his devotion to Eileen, his children and grandchildren was evident to all who knew him. He was happiest when interacting with St. Brendan's, shopping with his daughters and granddaughters, visiting his children, participating in Indian Guides and Princesses, coaching youth sports teams, volunteering at the Hospital and Fitness Center, performing as an amateur magician and jokester, having coffee on Sundays at Panera, tailgating, reminiscing about past Yankee and Notre Dame teams (while occasionally commiserating about the current state of those teams!), volunteering at the Speedway, and recording 5 holes-in-one over the course of his golfing career. After graduating from Notre Dame, he excelled first as a C.P.A. with Arthur Young in Chicago, and then moved his family to Ormond Beach in 1968 to serve as CFO for Associated Coca-Cola and Root Company for the next 26 years. Additionally he enjoyed serving for the Daytona Beach Police and Firefighters Pension Fund, the Florida State Golf Association, Checkered Flag committee, and the Parish Finance Committee. Charlie's Rules of Life, impeccable integrity, genuine interest in people, and his strong faith inspired all who knew him. His steady, thoughtful demeanor earned him the respect of his family and peers. Charlie warmed and brightened everyone around him. His loving spirit will always be remembered. He is survived by his children Kevin and his wife Rebecca, daughter Ellen, son Thomas, daughter Colleen and her husband Trey, granddaughters Lillie, Leah, Shelby and Claire, his sister Anne, his loyal lab Buttercup, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to St. Brendan's Catholic School, Father Lopez Catholic High School, or to the Oncology Center at Halifax Health Medical Center.