In Memory of Donald Paul Cavoli III

Obituary

Donald Paul Cavoli III left this world suddenly, but peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on October 15th at age 32. Donald was born to Connie Luke and Donald Cavoli II on July 23, 1991. He graduated from New Hartford Senior High School (Class of 2009) and resided in Myrtle Beach, SC since 2011.

Donald shared a love of baseball with his father Donnie, and it was clear from an early age that he was a gifted athlete. He spent much of his youth pursuing this passion and his many honors and achievements include hitting 6 consecutive home runs while playing little league baseball in New Hartford. Town legend has it that this record has yet to be broken. His baseball prowess continued to grow as he did, and he eventually found himself on a traveling team competing in various leagues and tournaments throughout high school, including a championship game at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY.

It was also clear that Donald’s loving and affable spirit drew people to him throughout his life. He remained extremely close to his childhood friends, many of whom he considered to be more than his “paisons,” he considered them to be brothers. His friends, old and new, meant everything to him and he remained in regular touch with those near and dear to him. In the last days of his life, his family received comfort hearing from so many people, including those he had met only briefly, who shared the many ways their lives have been touched by Donald’s warmth and generous spirit.

As the oldest sibling to three sisters, Allison, Brooke, and Sierra, Donald was a fiercely loyal and protective big brother. In his early years he began to perfect his renowned teddy bear hugs with them. He took seriously his role to guide them and, whether they liked it or not, would regularly engage them in deep and meaningful conversations about their lives and futures. Later, Donald became a father figure to his two nieces, Marcella and Lilly, and developed a particularly close relationship with Marcella who also lived in the Myrtle Beach area. His love and pride for his sisters and nieces was unmatched and he was truly their real-life teddy bear.

Two years ago, Donald met Megan Rion, who became his best friend and the light of his life. Together they shared a forever love and Megan received a privileged glimpse of the strong, the tender, and the goofy sides of Donald. Megan is especially proud of Donald’s relentless determination and admired his passionate approach to anything and everything he did with 100% of his heart. Donald simply “loved big” and cherished the light Megan brought to his life.

As many know, beyond his passion for his family, friends, and partner, Donald seriously pursued weight training and bodybuilding. This eventually culminated in participation in Strongman competitions throughout the Southeast. Donald was also passionate about cooking and entertaining for family and friends. Donald firmly embraced his Italian heritage and the lucky ones among us have been able to sample his famed sausage rolls, chicken riggies, and yes, greens. Donald was known to be able to create gourmet meals with the most random ingredients and mastered the art of assembling Instagram worthy charcuterie boards.

Donald’s faith was an important part of his life and Christmas was his most favorite holiday by far. So much so that he was frequently found blasting Christmas tunes while cooking in the kitchen—even in the middle of July. Donald’s love of Christmas also informed his community service efforts with Help4Kids, where he helped to stuff and deliver backpacks filled with toys during the Christmas season.

Donald is survived by his loving parents, Connie Luke and Donald Cavoli II, his three sisters Allison, Brooke, and Sierra Cavoli, nieces Marcella Cavoli and Lilly Dornan, and partner Megan Rion. Donald also leaves behind his loving grandparents Suzanne (Randall) and Donald Cavoli Sr. and Sharon (Humphrey) and Michael Luke; Aunts Kelly Palermo Luke, and Rebecca (Mazzatti) Cavoli and Uncles Dale Cavoli, and Stephen and Todd Luke. Donald also leaves behind a large extended family of cousins including the DelMedico’s, the Lukes, the Randalls, and the Samsons with whom he shared fond memories camping along the St. Lawrence River and celebrating birthdays and holidays.

Donald’s mother Connie would like to extend a special thank you to her parents, and Donald’s grandparents, Sharon and Michael Luke who have provided unconditional love, care, and support to Donald over the course of his life.

Calling hours are scheduled for Friday, October 20th, from 4-6 pm at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd, New Hartford, NY 13413. A funeral service is scheduled for 9 am on Saturday, October 21 at St. John the Evangelist Church, 66 Oxford Rd, New Hartford, NY 13413. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 70 Wood Road, Whitesboro, New York 13492.

To know Donald was to know that there was nothing bigger or stronger than his heart. May Donald’s warmth and generous spirit live within each of us and may we find inspiration in his strength and determination to continuously grow and become better versions of ourselves.

Online expressions of sympathy can be left at: fwefh.com