James P. Garavel, 78, highway worker

James P. Garavel of 35 Jefferson Avenue, Danbury, a former Ridgefield Highway Department staff member, died on Wednesday, May 7, at Danbury Hospital. He was 78 years old and the husband of Rosalie M. LaCava Garavel.
Mr. Garavel was born in Danbury May 25, 1924, a son of the late Angelo and Elizabeth Sullivan Garavel. He attended St. Peter’s School and Danbury High School. He was a graduate of Becker Junior College.
A World War II U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Garavel was first associated with his father in the family business, Garavel Trucking of Danbury. After the sale of the business, Mr. Garavel joined the accounting firm of Jessie L. Meeker. In later years, he became a staff member of the Danbury Hospital Credit Union.
>From 1980 to 1995, he was a member of the office staff of the Ridgefield Highway Department. For the past several years, he was an office staff member of the Cioffoletti Construction Co. Inc. of Ridgefield.
He was an avid sports enthusiast and most especially, a great fan of the New York Yankees.
Mr. Garavel was a member of St. Peter’s Church, Danbury.
Besides his wife of 54 years, Mr. Garavel is survived by a daughter, Mary Beth Garavel-Jowdy of Danbury; two sons, Robert M. Garavel of Brookfield and Paul J. Garavel of West Hartford; a brother, Gerald L. Garavel of Southbury; five grandchildren, Danielle E. Jowdy, Christopher M. Jowdy, Rebecca S. Jowdy, Paula M. Garavel and Michael R. Garavel; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Peter Church, Danbury, on Saturday, May 31, at 10 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-0050.
The Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9-11 Granville Avenue, Danbury, was in charge of arrangements.