James Joseph Cavera, age 81, passed away peacefully at Bridge Hospice in Findlay on November 25, 2023. Jim was born October 28, 1942 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to the late Joseph and Delores (Lorry Mouw) Cavera.
Jim attended St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland and graduated with a degree in Philosophy from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. After graduation Jim served in Liberia, West Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer. He married Ann, a fellow Peace Corps volunteer, in Liberia on July 24, 1966.
After returning home, Jim received his Master’s degree in Social Work from Michigan State University, Lansing. Upon graduation, Jim and Ann moved to Evansville, Indiana where Jim was employed as a social worker by St. Mary’s Hospital for thirty years.
Together, they had four children: James (Amy) of Seattle, Kathleen (Woody Pittman-deceased) Los Angeles, Christopher (Angela) of Bowling Green, and Laura (Tyson Lamoureux) Los Angeles.
In 1983, Jim was ordained as a permanent deacon for the diocese of Evansville. During his forty years as a deacon, Jim ministered at Holy Redeemer Church and St. Mary Church in Evansville as well as Immaculate Conception Church in Bellevue, and St. Aloysius Church in Bowling Green. In addition to his parish ministries, Jim’s greatest mission was to comfort the sick and aid those in need. While Jim enjoyed an occasional game of golf, his greatest joy was in serving others.
His children will always remember raising the flag on the porch on Memorial Day while Jim imitated playing a trumpet, led the pledge of allegiance and saluted. The tradition closed with a bike ride to McDonald’s for breakfast. Fall always brought trips to the orchard for candy apples and pumpkins.
Jim kept faith at the center of his life and wanted most of all to serve Christ by serving others. He is survived by Ann, his loving wife of 57 years along with children, Jim, Katie, Chris and Laura, and grandchildren Cate, Rachel, Jamie and David, as well as two who are close to the family’s heart; David and Nick.
He is preceded in death by his parents Joe and Lorry, three brothers David, Robert, and Patrick, and son-in-law Woody Pittman.
The Rite of Reception of the Body for Deacon Jim Cavera will be held on Wednesday November 29, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Aloysuis Catholic Church, 150 S. Enterprise St., Bowling Green, Ohio 43402, where visitation will follow until 6:00 p.m. A Vigil Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Aloysuis Catholic Church with the Most Reverend Daniel Thomas, Bishop of Toledo, as celebrant. Additional visitation will be held Thursday morning at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be private at Oak Grove Cemetery. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Dunn Funeral Home in Bowling Green.
Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy, please consider a memorial contribution to St. Aloysius Church, St. Vincent de Paul Society, or an organization of choice to aid the poor.
