Alfred S. Cavaretta Jr.

Alfred S. Cavaretta, Jr. of Kent, Ohio died unexpectedly on December 24, 2025. He was born on June 16, 1944 at the Chelsea Naval Hospital in Massachusetts and was the son of Eva and Alfred Cavaretta Sr. Alfred was raised in Lexington, Massachusetts, graduated from Lexington High School in 1962 and Dartmouth College in 1966. He enrolled at the University of Wisconsin in 1966 and continued his studies under a NASA Traineeship. In 1968 he began working in various aspects of classical analysis and approximation theory under the guidance of Professor Isaac J. Schoenberg of the Army Mathematics Research Center at Madison, Wisconsin. After earning his Ph.D. in mathematics in 1970 he went on to teach at Middlebury College in Vermont, California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA and settled at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio for 39 years. 

Alfred’s work was widely published in various math journals throughout his career. Mathematics and music were his life; he loved teaching and was a wonderful piano player and enjoyed playing for others. He particularly enjoyed traveling and exploring new cultures and people and had many wonderful stories of his experiences. He enjoyed swimming, playing golf and tennis. Alred was most defined by the love and care he gave his family and friends. He was vivacious and outgoing with a natural ability to connect with people and lift their spirits with his humor, kindness and wonderful smile. He will be sorely missed by those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Alfred is survived by his sister Karen Napoli of Acton, MA.; his two brothers Phillip Cavaretta of Ogunquit, ME. and John Cavaretta of Wells, ME.; one niece and five nephews.

There will be a celebration of life in Kent, OH and in the Boston area in the Spring.

Memorial gifts in his memory could be made to the Kent State University Orchestral Society, 210 Overlook Drive, Kent OH 44240.

To Share a Memory, Send a Condolence or Light a Candle, please visit the Tribute Wall at www.bisslerandsons.com.