Stefan Cavallo of Westhampton Beach Dies September 25

Stefan Cavallo, a long-time resident of Westhampton Beach, died peacefully on September 25. He was 101.

He was born and raised in the Bronx, attended DeWitt Clinton High School, and graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering from New York University in 1942, as well as serving as president of his class at NYU, Washington Heights. While attending college, he finished his flying lessons at Teterboro and graduated with a degree and pilot’s license. Following graduation, he was recruited by NACA to become one of their civilian test pilots, one of only five.

While a NACA test pilot for six years, he flew and tested every version of the P51 Mustangs (A, B, D and H prototypes). It was General Eisenhower who said that the P51s changed the course of the war. For the first time it allowed Allied bombers to be escorted deep into the European Theater. The P51 Mustang to this day is one of the finest designed planes of its time.

Giving up his career with NACA, he went into his father’s business that was established in 1911, an upholstery and antique business located in New York City. While working in the family business, he continued test-flying for a sea plane manufacturer, EDO, located in College Point, New York. He established a showroom and factory on East 95th Street, where manufacturing continues to this day under the direction of his son, Stephen Cavallo.

While maintaining a successful business career, his avocation was certainly flying. He would rent small aircraft to take the family on weekend excursions, later purchasing his own single engine plane. He spent most of his free time up in the air. He maintained an active pilot’s license up until he stopped flying in his mid 90s, having celebrated 75 years in aviation.

He made the news at the age of 89 when he glided and landed his single engine plane on the dunes between the boardwalk and parking lot on Robert Moses State Park Beach. He was flying solo returning from the Chesapeake area to Zabriskie Airbase, where he kept his plane when the engine seized because of an oil leak, and he lost all power 5 miles offshore from the State Park.

Cavallo was a lifelong New Yorker who lived independently in his brownstone on East 95th Street for most of his life and completed his memoires, which were profiled (sfdsnyc.org) by his parish, Saint France DE Sales on East 96th. He was an active member of the 92nd Street Y, and walked and did Tai Chi almost daily up until the past year. He was a truly remarkable man, his family said.

He is survived by his son Stephen and wife Pamela; son Christopher and wife Caryn; twin granddaughters Cristina and Stefanie (deceased); and great-grandchildren Christopher, Stefan, Legend, Roman and Mia.

There will be a celebration of his life on November 5 in Manhattan. For information, contact St. Francis De Sales at (212) 289-0425.

In lieu of flowers, donation to Hour Children (hourchildren.org) or The Robin Foundation (robinfoundation.org) would be appreciated.