Obituary of Andrew Enrico Caviglia

Andrew E. Caviglia passed away on June 22, 2014 at his home in Santa Cruz. He was 98. Andy was born June 1, 1916 to Mario and Maria (Siri) Caviglia. His mother died in 1918 during the Influenza epidemic and he was raised as a son, by his aunt, Pasqualina Caviglia. Andy grew up on the west side of Santa Cruz where he attended Bay View Elementary and later Santa Cruz High School. He was one of the early surfers, living close to West Cliff Dr., allowed him to surf often. He made his own longboard in high school in the 1930's. Following high school Andy joined the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served in the Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1945 and traveled between Panama and the Philippines. After his military service he worked for Santa Cruz Electric and later for Pettibone Signs. Andy met his wife Helen (Mazzei) Cavigilia in 1946 and the couple married in December of 1947. They spent 44 happy years together, until she passed away in 1991. Andy loved gardening and he would raise big gardens of vegetables every summer. After his retirement in 1974 he enjoyed going to the Skyview Flea Market every weekend. He was a great handyman and could fix almost anything. Of all of his hobbies, dancing was his favorite! He started dancing at the Coconut Grove in the 30's when all of the Big Bands performed there. He kept dancing throughout his life. In his later years he could be found every Friday night at the Mid County Senior Center in Capitola. He enjoyed dancing there for nearly twenty years. Andy was a member of the Marconi Club, a past member of the Santa Cruz Lawn Bowling Club and a sixty year member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union #104. He is survived by his daughter, Judy Grassi and her husband Mike; his grandson, David Grassi McDaniels and his wife Tapati. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Andy was preceded in death by his wife, Helen (Mazzei) Caviglia in 1991, his father, Mario Caviglia in 1944, his mother, Maria (Siri) Caviglia 1918 and his aunt, Pasqualina (Siri) Caviglia in 1968. Services will be held on Tuesday July 1, 2014 at 1:00 pm at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz, CA. Visitation will be held at the chapel on Monday from 4:00pm to 6:00 pm. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, 2271 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, CA. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com to light a candle or express your condolences to Andy's family. The Caviglia family would like to thank Hospice of Santa Cruz and all of Andy's caregivers for their wonderful and loving care. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz, 940 Disc Dr., Scotts Valley, CA 95066