Donald Cannavaro Obituary

Dr. Donald Woodward Cannavaro SUMMERVILLE - Don Cannavaro, 96, of Summerville, SC entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. Don was born 1918 in New York, NY to Theodore and Teresa Cannavaro. Don grew up in Larchmont, NY where he graduated from Mamaroneck High school in 1936. He worked as a musician in his brother's orchestra until he enlisted in the US Army in March of 1941. Originally serving as an Artilleryman, he was selected to the US Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet program and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in April of 1943. As a pilot he first served as a submarine spotter off the coast of California flying the P-38 Lightning. He later became a B-24 Liberator pilot with the 8th Air Force, 453rd Bomb Group, 732nd Squadron where, based from Great Britain, flew 32 combat missions over Germany and occupied France. After the war Don studied fine arts at several institutions including Parsons in New York City, The University of Paris-Sorbonne, and Colombia Pacific University where he earned his PhD in Fine Arts. Don worked as an Art Director for the Department of the Air Force for nearly 20 years until he retired from federal civil service in 1984. He then opened Cannavaro Fine Arts Ltd where he created his own pen and ink Americana Collection. His artwork can be found today in many private and government offices across the nation including many in the White House, US Capitol, and the Pentagon. Don is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jill Cannavaro; his sons, Steve, Eric, and Chris Cannavaro; his daughter-in-law, Kathy Cannavaro; his grandsons, Joe and Matt Cannavaro; his granddaughters, Shaina LaTulippe and Sarah Hall; and his great granddaughters, Ellie LaTulippe, Charlotte LaTulippe, and Mikayla Hall. Don's family would like to express great appreciation for the exceptional care and devoted friendship from Dora Polite as well as those that cared for Don at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday April 30th, 2015 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 510 St. James Avenue Goose Creek, SC 29445 at 9:30 am followed by a burial service at Beaufort National Cemetery, 1601 Boundary St, Beaufort, SC 29902 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the Cannavaro family requests donations in memory of Don be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jamesadyal.com. ARRANGEMENTS BY JAMES A. DYAL FUNERAL HOME, 303 S. MAIN STREET, SUMMERVILLE, SC 29483 (843) 873-4040 Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston