Nathaniel Mario Cavallini
January 6, 1940 ~ November 21, 2022
Nathaniel Mario Cavallini of Ashburn, Virginia passed away peacefully at home surrounded by love on November 21, 2022. We know he was greeted in heaven with “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:21a).
Nat was born on January 6, 1940, in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. Nat graduated from Nanticoke High School in 1957. He then received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Wilkes College in 1962 and his Master’s Degree in Mathematics from the University of Rochester in 1972. After graduating from Wilkes College, he joined the United States Marine Corps in 1962 and served time in Active Duty and the Reserves until 1968. In 1963, Nat taught Math and coached basketball in Freeland, Pennsylvania. A year later, he began his tenure working for the Department of Defense and moved to the Washington, DC area in 1966. He worked in the field of Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C3I). He rose through the ranks, becoming the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense in 1983, the highest non-appointed position in the Department of Defense. During his career, Nat was awarded numerous accolades and awards, the highest of these being the Presidential Meritorious Award, which he received from three different Presidents. Nat retired from the Department of Defense in 1996 after 33 years of exemplary service. During retirement, he worked as a Graduate Professor for the National Defense University from 1996-1997. He then worked as a Senior Vice President for Jefferson Consulting from 1997-2009. Throughout his extensive career, he was greatly admired by all who worked with him.
Nat loved his family fiercely. He met the love of his life, Carol Saydock, at the ACME Grocery Store where he worked as a bagger and she as a cashier. They married on May 28, 1965 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. They settled in Great Falls, Virginia to raise their children and followed them to Ashburn, Virginia to be an integral part of their grandchildren’s lives. Nonno, as they called him, attended all of their school functions and sporting events, cheering them on every step of the way. His family was the most important thing in his life; no sacrifice was too much for them.
Nat had a love of scouting, having earned his Eagle Scout rank at the age of 13, making him the youngest Eagle Scout in the State of Pennsylvania at the time. Many years later, he served as a Cub Scout Den Leader for his grandchildren and helped Boy Scouts earn their badges as a Merit Badge Counselor. Both Boy Scouts and his family instilled him with a great faith. He served as a Deacon and Head Usher at Ashburn Presbyterian Church, driving people to appointments, coordinating the delivery of meals to members and helping with the fellowship hour at the church.
One of Nat’s favorite pastimes was playing poker with friends and family. His neighborhood poker group lasted 42 years, and even though Nat was usually the big winner, they never wanted to play without him. He enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to play, generously allowing them to play with his money, so all came out as winners. His favorite family vacation destination was Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Every summer his family would look forward to the annual week at the beach, and every year amazing memories were made. Nat loved everything about Rehoboth Beach, but arguably his favorite thing was Grotto Pizza, a pizza place he had been going to since he was a teenager. Every year, both his and his grandchildren’s eyes would light up at the sight of a pie. Nat also loved to play golf, mostly for the camaraderie and fun he would have with his friends. Laughs and antics ensued whenever he was around.
Nat was a man of great character with an amazing sense of humor. He never took himself too seriously, and his presence was larger than life; he lit up a room with his smile and brought joy and laughter to all who knew him.
Nat is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Carol Cavallini, their children, Melissa (Jeff) Voivoda and Laura (Ryan) Young, and their grandchildren, Luke (Ashley Spangler) Voivoda, Emily Young and Nicholas Voivoda, all from Ashburn, Virginia; a sister, Joyce Cavallini, of St. Augustine, Florida; and a brother, John (Claudia) Cavallini, of St. Augustine, Florida. Nat is pre-deceased by his parents, Dan and Mary Cavallini.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Nat’s life will be held on December 29, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the Money & King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Ave, Vienna, Virginia, 22180.
Memorial contributions can be made in Nat’s name to the Deacon’s Fund at Ashburn Presbyterian Church, 20962 Ashburn Road, Ashburn, Virginia 20147 or online at
https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z34M/campaign/C-11YW2
Nat was born on January 6, 1940, in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. Nat graduated from Nanticoke High School in 1957. He then received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Wilkes College in 1962 and his Master’s Degree in Mathematics from the University of Rochester in 1972. After graduating from Wilkes College, he joined the United States Marine Corps in 1962 and served time in Active Duty and the Reserves until 1968. In 1963, Nat taught Math and coached basketball in Freeland, Pennsylvania. A year later, he began his tenure working for the Department of Defense and moved to the Washington, DC area in 1966. He worked in the field of Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C3I). He rose through the ranks, becoming the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense in 1983, the highest non-appointed position in the Department of Defense. During his career, Nat was awarded numerous accolades and awards, the highest of these being the Presidential Meritorious Award, which he received from three different Presidents. Nat retired from the Department of Defense in 1996 after 33 years of exemplary service. During retirement, he worked as a Graduate Professor for the National Defense University from 1996-1997. He then worked as a Senior Vice President for Jefferson Consulting from 1997-2009. Throughout his extensive career, he was greatly admired by all who worked with him.
Nat loved his family fiercely. He met the love of his life, Carol Saydock, at the ACME Grocery Store where he worked as a bagger and she as a cashier. They married on May 28, 1965 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. They settled in Great Falls, Virginia to raise their children and followed them to Ashburn, Virginia to be an integral part of their grandchildren’s lives. Nonno, as they called him, attended all of their school functions and sporting events, cheering them on every step of the way. His family was the most important thing in his life; no sacrifice was too much for them.
Nat had a love of scouting, having earned his Eagle Scout rank at the age of 13, making him the youngest Eagle Scout in the State of Pennsylvania at the time. Many years later, he served as a Cub Scout Den Leader for his grandchildren and helped Boy Scouts earn their badges as a Merit Badge Counselor. Both Boy Scouts and his family instilled him with a great faith. He served as a Deacon and Head Usher at Ashburn Presbyterian Church, driving people to appointments, coordinating the delivery of meals to members and helping with the fellowship hour at the church.
One of Nat’s favorite pastimes was playing poker with friends and family. His neighborhood poker group lasted 42 years, and even though Nat was usually the big winner, they never wanted to play without him. He enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to play, generously allowing them to play with his money, so all came out as winners. His favorite family vacation destination was Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Every summer his family would look forward to the annual week at the beach, and every year amazing memories were made. Nat loved everything about Rehoboth Beach, but arguably his favorite thing was Grotto Pizza, a pizza place he had been going to since he was a teenager. Every year, both his and his grandchildren’s eyes would light up at the sight of a pie. Nat also loved to play golf, mostly for the camaraderie and fun he would have with his friends. Laughs and antics ensued whenever he was around.
Nat was a man of great character with an amazing sense of humor. He never took himself too seriously, and his presence was larger than life; he lit up a room with his smile and brought joy and laughter to all who knew him.
Nat is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Carol Cavallini, their children, Melissa (Jeff) Voivoda and Laura (Ryan) Young, and their grandchildren, Luke (Ashley Spangler) Voivoda, Emily Young and Nicholas Voivoda, all from Ashburn, Virginia; a sister, Joyce Cavallini, of St. Augustine, Florida; and a brother, John (Claudia) Cavallini, of St. Augustine, Florida. Nat is pre-deceased by his parents, Dan and Mary Cavallini.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Nat’s life will be held on December 29, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the Money & King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Ave, Vienna, Virginia, 22180.
Memorial contributions can be made in Nat’s name to the Deacon’s Fund at Ashburn Presbyterian Church, 20962 Ashburn Road, Ashburn, Virginia 20147 or online at
https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z34M/campaign/C-11YW2
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I will always remember serving the Lord with Nat at APC. He served the Lord joyfully and always willingly. My love to Carol, Melissa, Laura, and all their family.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:23
Nat is certainly now living in the joy of His Lord and Savior. Amen!
Nat, Carol, Tom & I have been friends for 45 years, since we became neighbors in Great Falls, VA. Through the years, we had many memorable outings & neighborhood events . But our annual Valentines Day adventures were the best. We started with VD dinners but soon they became VD weekends. We did something different every year. The laughter, fun, & love of those VD adventures will be part of our memories forever. I have included some photos – we never get tired of looking at them & remembering.
Rest in peace, Dear Friend..
Much love, Ronnie & Tom
Nat was my big brother and I don’t think anyone could ever have a better big brother. I always knew he loved me, even though I was usually a pesty little sister. He was always fun. He loved to tell jokes, and to play tricks on people. He loved to play games, board games, card games, all kinds games. And he was smart. He could always win whatever game we played. He was fun to grow up with, because he was sort of mischievous and made us laugh a lot.
But there was another side to Nat (or Butch, as we called him then)— a responsible side. He looked out for all of us little ones. Our parents entrusted Nat with taking me to my first day of school. He walked me to school and made sure I got into Miss O’Brien’s first grade class.
Nat loved to read. From the time I can remember he was reading comic books and the funnies in the paper. Our Dad took some pictures of Nat sitting in the big chair, reading a comic and blowing a big bubble of bubble gum. In one picture John is sitting near Nat, looking like he wanted to burst that bubble. Nat would often read when he was eating alone. Sometimes he would come home at night, open a can of anchovies, get a slice of bread, pick up a book, and sit at the kitchen table eating anchovies from the can and reading his book.
Nat liked to play liar’s poker, especially at the Viti Family reunions. It was mostly the guys who played and I think most of them saved “good “ dollars during the year to improve their chances of winning. I don’t know for a fact, but I’m sure Nat won most of the time.
If you had Nat as a friend you had a loyal friend. I was privileged to have Nat as my brother for almost 80 years. No words can express my gratitude.
I remember such a kind and generous man always at the Cub Scout meetings and always joyful to see all the boys. May you treasure all of your memories made with this wonderful man. Our sincere condolences.
The Roberts Family
Glenn, Deb and Erik
I have so many wonderful memories of Mr. Cavallini. Having Melissa as a best friend and neighbor growing up, I was at the Cavallini’s house almost as much as my own! The dinners, sleepovers, parties, and backyard games are all special memories made possible because of the kind and generous spirit of the Cavallini family! “Mr. C” was always finding ways for us kids to have a good time and enjoyed joking and laughing with us! I know that all the people he knew were blessed by this kind-hearted, gentle, and fun-loving family man. What a legacy of love he has left.
I was fortunate to know Nat from high school days and beyond. A more unique and great personality I never have met. The stories I could tell would take up a small book. When you were with him you had to be on guard because he always had some trick or plan that he would use on you. I consider it a privilege to be part of his joke. A true friend that I will miss.
Nat taught me to always pay attention when playing games with an older and wiser cousin. When he got his first started working in Philadelphia he came to live with our family for a while and I’m sure he thoroughly enjoyed it. As a young teenager I loved having him there and hearing his laugh, it was the best.
It was a wonderful celebration of Mr. Cavallini’s life this week. His huge smile and sense of humor always shined. I have many memories from the time I was 5 years old. One of my favorite is from my wedding reception. The “Bowie Group” knows how to represent on the dance floor. I love to watch our video and see Nat and my dad laughing in the conga line. I couldn’t find a pic of that, but here are two others from dancing at our wedding. The hat was during a Jimmy Buffett song.
Thinking of all of you and sending you strength.