Vincent Francis Cavaleri

Vincent Francis Cavaleri, of Clifton Virginia, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, May 22. He was 94. Vince was born in Mount Kisco, New York, the son of Angelo and Anna (Carlisi). He is survived by his wife, Christine, and their two children: daughter Laura (Berger) and children Rachel and Jessica, and son Robert (Nicole), and children David, Michael, and Caitlyn. Vince attended Bedford Hills High School where he played on the baseball and football teams. Following his graduation Vince set his sights on a technical future and attended RCA Institute in New York City. In 1948 he enlisted in the United States Navy and served with distinction as an Aviation Electronics Technician which included Airborne Radar and Communications. He was also a member of the shooting team! In 1952 and now a civilian, Vince ran his own business, Cavaleri TV Sales and Service. In 1956 he accepted a position at General Precision, Inc. and found himself on the way to Bermuda. There, Vince functioned as a Flight Test Engineer involved with Digital Instrumentation for the National Hurricane Research Project; then worked maintaining the "Round the World" Doppler Navigation System; then instructed for Government personnel regarding special Photo Radar systems; then off to China Lake, California, for FAA Air Traffic Control Digital Systems and Engineering. While in Bermuda, he met his lovely wife, Christine, and they had two children. They spent many days on and in the water together. As Vince grew to know the Bermuda islands, he qualified as a Civilian Navy Diver. He took his camera under water and set about learning what was in and around the reefs. He went wreck hunting with Edmund Downing, looking for the wreckage of the "Sea Venture" and uncovering the "Galgo", wrecked in 1638. And then there was spear-fishing and photographing marine life, including hump-backed whales. The slide show that Vince and Chris put together was shown in Bermuda hotels so that tourists could get a glimpse of the underwater world. Skill with the camera became Vince's personal focus and in 1971 he achieved a major acknowledgment with the publication of a rare Tropic Bird (Longtail) in the National Geographic Magazine. In the early 60's Vince went to work for Hudson Labs of Columbia University, where he supported the first generation of computer systems. During the next decade, Vince utilized his electronics and diving knowledge experience to support various ongoing Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) projects. His contributions to the NRL were recognized by awards from senior personnel. In 1974 the time came to leave Bermuda and Vince brought his family home to Clifton, Virginia. Still with the NRL, Vince went to work in Washington, DC. He also continued his work in wildlife photography with art shows, events and publications. Within days of Vince’s retirement from NRL, he was invited to help create the indoor shooting range at the National Rifle Association headquarters. Vince qualified as a senior level NRA instructor, and worked there part-time for the next 17 years. In 2014, he helped launch the Elite Shooting Sports indoor firearms facility, instructing and using his camera to highlight people and events. Vince brought the quality of excellence to all of his pursuits. He was always moving forward and creating. As some said, “Always pushing himself to the limit.” He will be laid to rest at Quantico National Cemetery on Monday, June 17, 2024 at 11:30 am.