Alphonso John Cavicchi, Jr., 83, of Kingston, passed away on Friday, April 12th, after a long illness. For the last two years he had been a resident of the Sarah B. Brayton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Fall River. He was born on June 14th, 1929, in Duxbury. His parents were Alfonso and Elva Cavicchi of River Street in Kingston. He graduated from Kingston High School in 1948. He remained life-long friends with several of his high school acquaintances. Mr. Cavicchi was a veteran. He served his country for two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War stationed in Germany from 1951 to 1953.
Also known as "Al" or "Kiki", Mr. Cavicchi was happy and proud to be married to Mary Louise (Brookings) Cavicchi for over sixty years before her death on February 6th, 2011. They spent their entire lives in Kingston, raising three children and operating the local hardware and dry goods company in the center of town. In his early years he was also known for his laundry washer and dryer repair expertise. Mr. Cavicchi owned the Wave’s Edge Apartment Motel in Tisbury (on Martha's Vineyard Island) from 1975 to 2003.
During his active life, Mr. Cavicchi participated in town government as an appointee to several town boards. He also enjoyed many years as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary where he spent much of his time teaching others the proper techniques of boating and inspecting vessels for overall safety. He was a collector of virtually everything. The retirement years were filled with travel all around the globe, as well as many relaxing cruises and trips to the casinos in Connecticut; Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. Al and Mary Lou were fond of being in Alaska where one of their daughters and her family reside.
Mr. Cavicchi is survived by his three children and their families including Leslie S. Cavicchi and his wife Kristine, of Ashland, Wanda L. Powers and her husband Richard (Kevin) of Middleborough, and Brenda G. Gumminger and her husband Robert (Butch), of Wasilla, Alaska. His grandchildren are Douglas Cushing of Austin, TX; Captain Jarrod Cavicchi of Jamestown, RI; Jennifer Powers and Nicholas Powers of Middleborough, Nathan Gumminger and Dylan Gumminger of Wasilla, Alaska, and Ryan Stanley of Ashland. His great-grandchildren are Matthew Cavicchi of Plymouth and Jayden Powers of Middleborough. He is also survived by his sister, Holly (Cavicchi) Keough of Kingston; his sister-in-law, Barbara (Brookings) McAlpine of Carver, and his father-in-law, Lawrence Ellis of Middleborough.
A memorial service will be held in the near future; date to be announced. Donations may be made in Alphonso Cavicchi’s name and memory to the Kingston Public Library, 6 Green Street, Kingston, MA 02364.