Robert Ellis Cavanna

Robert Ellis Cavanna, who tended his gardens, his family, and his community with generosity and love, died on October 5 in Winter Park, Florida, after a heart attack. He was 75. 

Rob was born in Haddonfield, New Jersey, in 1949, the son of the late Robert and Doris Cavanna. The family moved to Florida in 1961. Rob earned a BA from Furman University and an MBA from Rollins College; he had a successful career in commercial real estate in central Florida. In 1992, Rob met Betsy Clarke, who had relocated from Virginia. They married in 1994 and settled in Winter Park and New Smyrna Beach. 

Rob spent as much time as he could at the beach. He loved the ocean; he was a surfer, an avid boater and captain of the mighty Sea Duck, and in recent years took long walks on the beach most mornings. He was a skillful gardener, nurturing orchids, roses, fruit trees, palms and ferns, creating a tropical paradise that was beautiful and peaceful.                                                         

Though quiet in personality, Rob was an active member of his community. He was a longtime member of St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church in Winter Park, and expressed his faith in concrete ways, such as traveling to the Dominican Republic to help build homes through a sister diocese. Curious about the wider world, Rob became a ham radio operator, and earned an Amateur Extra Class license, the highest class of amateur radio license in the United States. He never outgrew his love for the doo-wop tunes of the 1950s and 60’s, and he was a life-long fan of the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Most of all, Rob loved being with people, especially his extended family. The house in New Smyrna Beach was a gathering place, always full of good food, cold beer and lively conversation. Rob and Betsy hosted many happy parties there, and traveled widely with family and friends. Over the years, they maintained loving and supportive relations with Rob’s two sons from a prior marriage, both autistic persons. Rob also had a special relationship with his younger sister BJ. Once, Rob was asked to describe a sound that he considered especially beautiful and important; his response was “the laughter of children.”

Rob is survived by his wife, Betsy; his younger son Paul; his sister BJ Cavanna Van Hest, her husband Glenn Van Hest and her son Jason Thatcher. Rob’s older son Daniel predeceased him. Rob will be deeply missed by Betsy’s sister Alice Hunt and her brother George Clarke, as well as by his nieces and nephews (Kate Fippinger, Watkins Hunt, Cabot Enroughty, Laney Ettel, and Ben Clarke), and their spouses and children. 

A funeral service was held at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Winter Park, Fl, on October 21, 2024 at 11:00am, with a reception to follow. There will be a burial ceremony 11AM Saturday, November 2, 2024 at the Kenbridge Heights Cemetery,  Kenbridge, VA, In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make donations to Liberty Corner Enterprise (119 Tunnel Road, Suite 120A, Asheville, NC 28787; https://lcewnc.org/donate/), which has supported both Daniel and Paul.