Hombert Angelo "Al" Cavalli

HOMBERT ANGELO CAVALLI (AL)
January 28, 1931 - January 5, 2008



Al Cavalli was born in Vancouver, British Columbia on January 28, 1931 to Alessandro and Catterina Cavalli. The family moved to Santa Barbara when Al was eight years old. Al and his loving wife Eufrasia "Frezzy" Cosma grew up in the same neighborhood. They began dating one another when she was 14 years old. Al and Frezzy were married on June 17, 1956. On October 28, 2006, in honor of their 50th Wedding Anniversary, Al and Frezzy renewed their wedding vows at Our Lady of Guadalupe church in Santa Barbara where they were married.
Al attended the UCSB to obtain his BA in Music. He took time off from college to serve his country as a company clerk with Company E, 85th Infantry Regiment during the Korean Conflict. Upon completing college he earned his teaching credential and later obtained his MA Performance in Music from USC, and a MA in Education from CPSU.
Al began his teaching career in 1956 as the band teacher for schools in Nipomo and Oceano. From 1958 to 1967 he taught Music for the Guadalupe Joint Union School District. In 1967, Al joined the faculty at Lakeview Jr. High School where he taught Music, Spanish, Aviation, Leatherwork, and English, and served as the Vice Principal. After the Orcutt School District re-organized the music program, Al assumed the responsibility of teaching music at the six elementary schools and both Lakeview and Orcutt Junior High Schools. Al would take his junior high bands to compete in the annual District and Regional Band Festivals where they frequently received Excellent and Superior Ratings. He and his young musicians also performed in the local community parades and at various events throughout the Santa Maria Valley. Al implemented a music-recruiting program that was so successful local music stores had a difficult time stocking enough instruments for the students to rent.
Al was a co-creator of the Band-O-Rama Program. This annual event brought together musicians from the junior high and high schools within the Orcutt, Guadalupe and Santa Maria school districts, as well as Allan Hancock Community Band, to perform as one band.
Al's love for music began at an early age. He and his two brothers (Bill and Victor) regularly competed in talent contests at the Royal and Orpheum Theatres in British Columbia. When Al was four years old he used his formidable violin skills to entertain crowds by playing his rendition of the song, "When I Grow Too Old To Dream". Years later (1949) Al would go on to lead the Santa Barbara High School Band as the Senior Drum Major in the Pasadena Rose Parade.
Al provided musicianship to various productions performed at the Allan Hancock PCPA Theatre, served as a distinguished judge for the Santa Barbara County Fair Pageant, taught English as a second language through the Allan Hancock Extension Program and at the Lompoc Penitentiary. He was also a local 4-H Rocketry Leader and a frequent volunteer at 4-H functions. On weekends Al played in several bands performing gigs up and down the Central Coast. One of the family's favorite bands was the 24-piece Big Band that rehearsed in Al's garage, bringing much pleasure and entertainment to family and neighbors.
Al also had a love for travel. Summer vacations included loading up his family in their classic Oldsmobile station wagon and 20-foot trailer and traveling across the US, Canada and Mexico visiting National Parks, State Capitals, and historical landmarks. Adventures also included visits to family and friends throughout Italy, Germany, Australia and Argentina. More recently Al and Frezzy spent three months traveling throughout Europe.
As Al's children started families of their own, he and Frezzy found another important group of people to support… our soldiers. Al was a proud American who dearly loved his country and all those who served. During Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, he and Frezzy routinely participated in local fundraisers, provided meals, organized dinners and sent care packages. Al was awarded the Department of the Army Commander's Award for Public Service for Exceptional Meritorious Service in support of the soldiers and families of the 1st Infantry Division, 1St Cavalry Division, 3rd Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Division, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, and the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
Al will be deeply missed but never forgotten. He touched the lives of all who knew him. He lived his life as an example to others. His kind, friendly, and caring manner, and his love for music are an inspiration to all of us. You could always count on Al to have a great attitude, a heart-warming smile and a hand to lend. He will always be remembered as a loyal friend, dedicated brother, supportive and loving husband, a compassionate and understanding father, and a kind and gentle Nonno (grandfather).
Al is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Frezzy Cavalli and their six children; Catherine Cavalli Burton and her Husband COL JB Burton and their son Austin; Angela Cavalli Harris and her husband LTC Mike Harris and their children Parker and Eufrasia; J.R. Cavalli, Rosemarie Cavalli Aigner and her husband Glenn Aigner and their children Sierra, Lucas, and Madeline; Dominique "Nikki" Cavalli; and Aldo Cavalli and his wife Valentina Watanabe Cavalli, their son Matteo and soon to be born second child, his brother William "Bill" Cavalli and his wife Cathy and their children, his sister-in-law Virginia Cavalli and her children, many nieces and nephews and relatives, and many close friends.
A Rosary and celebration of his life will be held on Friday, January 11, 6:00 PM, at St Louis De Montfort Church (1190 East Clark Ave, Orcutt). A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2008, at 11:00 AM, at San Roque Catholic Church (325 Argonne Circle, Santa Barbara); Burial Service will immediately follow the Mass at Calvary Cemetery (199 North Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara). Please visit Hombert Cavalli's online memorial site at www.christianmemorials.com/tributes/hombert-cavalli