CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Nick Cavallo, beloved by family and a host of friends, passed away at the age of 87 at the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C. on Sunday, July 19, 2009. He was the eldest son of the late Steve and Margherita Cavallo and a brother to Geno Cavallo and wife Gloria of Port St. Lucie, Fla. and Anthony Cavallo of Princeton, W.Va.Nick's wife and war bride of 62 years, Josephine Arcoleo Cavallo, survives him. The couple have three children, Margaret White and husband Danny of Waxhaw, N.C., Josie Mabry and husband Larry of Morrisville, N.C., and Steven Cavallo and wife Malinda of St. Charles, Mo.Nick was the grandfather to eleven grandchildren, Jennifer McKenzie and husband Donald, Bill Connor and wife Missy, Tony Connor, Billy Joe Mabry, John Mabry and wife Melissa, Lauren Mabry, Nick Cavallo and wife Hanna, Matt Cavallo, and stepgrandchilren, Trent White and wife Nicole, Stephen White, and Stephanie Linderberger and husband Mike. He also leaves behind his great-grandchildren, Alyssa McKenzie, Ty Connor, Hudson Connor and Morgan Connor; and great-stepgrandchildren, Logan Hoffer, John Conrad and Elise White.Nick is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews, Louis and Pam Cavallo, Joe and Tonya Cavallo, John Cavallo, Michael Cavallo and Christine and John Miller.

 He was surrounded in life with many friends and particularly his dear friend, Henry Paul.Born in Modugno Bari, Italy on January 20, 1922, Nick came to America in 1935 and lived in New York for a short while. After a couple of years the Cavallo family moved to the coalfields of West Virginia where the remainder of Nick's life was spent. He was a resident of Gary at his passing.He attended schools in New York, Welch, Gary, Wilcoe and Elbert. 

Once he turned 18, Nick went to work for U.S. Steel. He was drafted by the Army in 1943 and served in Europe during World War II. Upon his return to the states, he resumed work with U.S. Steel and ultimately retired in 1985 as a blacksmith/welder after 45 years of service.Nick was a member of the Gary Lions Club, the United Mine Worker's of America, a lifetime member of the American Legion, a Veteran of Wolrd War II, and a lifelong member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Gary.

Visitation will be at the Fanning Funeral Home located at Coney Island in Welch, W.Va. from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday July 22, 2009, with a Scripture Wake Service at 7 p.m.. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church on Thursday July 23, 2009 at 11 a.m. with Father That Son Nguyen, celebrant. Entombment will follow at the Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum in Bluewell, W.Va. 

Nick's grandsons will serve as pallbearers, and the American Legion and Gary Lions Club will serve as honorary pallbearersIn lieu of flowers donations can be made to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Box 130, Gary, W.Va. 24836 in memory of a man who was devoted to his faith.

Military rites at the cemetery will be conducted by V.F.W Post 1144 of Iaeger and American Legion Post 175 of Bradshaw.Fanning Funeral Home of Welch is serving the Cavallo family.To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com