John Walter LaCava, 83, of Bath, NC died at his home, with his family at his side after a brief battle with cancer on Sunday November 19, 2023.
John was born on September 22, 1940 to John and Ruth LaCava of Lynn, Massachusetts’s. He graduated from Lynn English High School and attended Boston University earning a degree in Music. He then went on to East Carolina University to obtain a Master of Arts Degree. It was at East Carolina that he met and married his wife of sixty years, Sallie.
John began his career in Winston Salem where he directed band and choir at Gray High School. John’s passion was music and teaching, and he went on to a long career of band and choir directing. He taught primarily at Marshall High School in Falls Church and Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Virginia. He was admitted to the Virginia Band Directors Hall of Fame. John’s other passion was as a soccer coach. He coached various soccer teams and his children’s travel soccer teams throughout the years. Upon retiring and moving to Luray, VA John used his free time to found the Luray Performing Arts Center of Luray and began directing a choir called “The Main Street Singers”. He also directed various community and church choirs. In the last fourteen years of his life John and his wife resided in Bath, NC where they found church homes and friends at Bath Christian Church and St. Clair’s Church.
John is survived by his wife, Sallie and his daughters, Sally Ann Bohi and her spouse Robert D. Bohi of Apex, NC, Laura LaCava of Georgia, Pamela Brown and her spouse Brion Brown of Lyons, Colorado, Catherine “Beth” Jones and her spouse Derrick Jones of Greensboro, NC and by his son, John David LaCava and his spouse, Susie LaCava and grandchildren, Emma and Eric LaCava of Alexandria, VA. His children know him as a tireless hard worker, always giving of himself and his talents. He is also survived by his sister, Cathy Page and her family of Saugus, MA and Linda LaCava and her family of Lynn, MA. He is preceded in death by his brother, David LaCava and his son Jon Michael LaCava. John was also known for his soft spot for animals, particularly the dogs that have been his companion throughout the years.
Family will welcome those who wish to pay their respects to a Memorial Service on Monday December 18, 2023 at 2:00 PM located at St. Clair’s Church of Christ, 9814 NC-99 Bath, NC 27808. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the Service on Monday December 18, 2023 at 1:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking memorial contributions to be made to the Lynn English High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund Class of 1958.
Memorial donations may be made by clicking HERE
Joseph B. Paul Jr. Funeral Service of Washington, NC is honored to serve the LaCava family.
Memorial Service
2:00 PM
St. Clair’s Church of Christ - Directions
Visiting Hours
9814 NC-99 Bath, NC 27808
- Monday, December 18, 2023
-
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tribute Wall