Cosmo D. Cavicchio, Jr. – Age 80, beloved husband of Norma G. (Thibault) Cavicchio of 54 years, passed away on Wednesday, November 8 at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Cambridge, September 28, 1943, a son of the late Cosmo D. Cavicchio, Sr. and Carmela (Risola) Cavicchio. He was raised in Somerville, lived in Arlington, and proudly served in the Army National Guard before moving to Billerica with Norma in 1971.
Cosmo was employed at Raytheon's Missile Systems Division as a Mechanical Engineer for 35 years, receiving multiple Inventor's and Author's Awards for his work in innovation. He was a proud mentor for early career employees, an advocate of STEM programs for high school students, and a very active leader in Raytheon’s Diversity Program. He played in their hockey league for over 30 years as well as in their golf league before retiring in 2006.
Cos was known in Billerica as an active community member, representing his neighbors in Town Meetings for over 35 years, serving on the School Committee and Finance Committee while his children were in the school system, and serving for a time as the Assistant Town Moderator. He further supported his community as a member of BATV producing and hosting shows like Cosmo's Journal, announcing for BATV Sports (known for calling the high school football games and hockey games), and reporting on the sidelines of the Yankee Doodle Parade. He was an active board member at the Billerica Boys and Girls Club where all three of his grandchildren learned how to swim, served with honor as their President for two years, and received accommodations for his long dedication to contributing to the BGC mission he so heartily believed in.
Cos was known for his adventurous spirit and love of trying new things throughout his life. Whether bike riding, hiking, winter-season mountain climbing, attending bluegrass festivals, playing various instruments across many genres, canoeing in the Everglades, or golfing for the first time at age 60 and scoring a 48 on nine holes, he was up for anything. He also loved riding his motorcycle with his brother, Jack, and enjoyed being a member of the Honorable Few Motorcycle Club, where he rode with some of his closest friends. In addition to jamming with various musicians each week, he developed a love of target shooting over the last 15 years, too.
After retirement, Cos dedicated much of his time to his grandchildren, who deeply loved their Papa. He enjoyed giving them various experiences, from taking them to Boston to see The Nutcracker to going to museums, and from going on starter hikes to teaching them starter golf. He always attended any and all of their activities from student concerts to gymnastics meets, and from karate promotions to school activities, and enjoyed his policy of saying "yes!" as many times as he could.
Besides his wife, Cosmo is survived by his daughters, Christa Dhimo and her husband Ervin of Reading, Laren Cavicchio and her husband Darrell Rogers of Tampa, FL, and Julie Cavicchio and her partner Steve Arlin of Merrimack, NH; his brother Jack Cavicchio and his wife Pam of Billerica, his three grandchildren, Ella, DritaGrace ("DG") and Dafina; his two nephews Joe Cavicchio of Billerica and Dave Cavicchio of Somerville; and many beloved cousins, other relatives, and in-laws across Massachusetts, Maine, Oregon, Florida, and Albania.
Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, November 14, at the Sweeney Memorial Funeral Home, 66 Concord Rd., Billerica from 3-7 p.m. A graveside service will be held Wednesday, November 15, at the Fox Hill Cemetery, 130 Andover Rd., Billerica at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made either to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Cosmo D. Cavicchio, Jr. to support cancer research and patient care at: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via dana-farber.org/gift, or to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Billerica via https://www.billericabgc.com.
Previous Events
Visitation
14
Nov
66 Concord Road
Billerica, MA 01821
Graveside
15
Nov
130 Andover Rd.
Billerica, MA 01821
