Dr. Michael Joseph CavotoNaples, FLDr. Michael Joseph Cavoto, 82 of Naples, Florida, passed away on Thursday, March 9, 2017 in Austin, Texas, following a courageous 4-year battle with cancer.Michael was born on February 7, 1935, in Barnesboro, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Anthony and Dora Cavoto. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from St. Francis College in Loretto, PA, and his MD in Orthopedic Surgery from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Michael completed his orthopedic residency at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he worked until he received a commission into the United States Air Force in May of 1967. Michael married Veronica Ann Zerishnek in Pittsburgh on June 3, 1967, and the happy newlyweds moved to Minot, North Dakota for two years, where Captain Cavoto served the airmen and women of Minot AFB as their Chief of Orthopedic Surgery. Following his military service, they settled in Indiana, Pennsylvania, where the couple spent 30 years raising their family and contributing to the community.Michael, "Poke" to his beloved wife Veronica ("Ronnie" to friends, "Sissy" to Michael), was a man of great action, few words, and many blessings. His humble beginnings contributed to his appreciation of the simple things in life where he enjoyed hikes in the woods, mythologized as "the forest primeval" to his amazed children. He happily drove the entire family to Rehobeth Beach, Delaware, for summer vacation, each time returning to Indiana with all eight kids and, against all odds, his sanity intact. He loved regaling anyone within earshot stories about the old days over games of canasta or hearts, bestowing sometimes embarrassing but appropriate nicknames upon his kids' friends, and simply breaking into song loudly and often. To some teenaged girls in the family, the timing and selection of songs seemed curiously chosen for maximum embarrassment, but to this day nothing can be proven. Like every good Italian, he enjoyed homemade biscotti and a glass of red wine. Surprisingly, he didn't enjoy pasta. Unsurprisingly, at least to anyone who has shared a meal at the Cavoto's large and welcoming dining room table over the years, he savored anything and everything that came out of Ronnie's magical kitchen.He enjoyed spending quiet time reading novels and newspapers, particularly the business section. Investing was never a means to an end for Michael, but rather a way to indulge his boundless curiosity about the world outside of medicine. Sitting in his bathrobe at the breakfast table with a cup of coffee and the TV tuned to the stock channel in the background, he would have every page of the Wall Street Journal read before anyone else in the house was awake. Except for Ronnie, of course, who had already been to the grocery store before even Michael woke up.He enjoyed contemplating life's mysteries while sitting on the porch, clearing the pond of snow for family iceskating, and inventing lazy swimming strokes that he named after himself. He took particular pleasure in dominating in Scrabble, daring anyone to officially challenge an almost certainly made-up, non-existent 26-point triple-score word that he claimed to be a rare medical condition that conveniently also happened to contain multiple Q's and Z's. Since time for proper naps is hard to come by with such a busy life and large family to look after, he enjoyed snatching cat naps whenever and wherever he could get them. He always looked forward to leisurely bike rides and long walks on Park Shore beach in Naples, often concluded by holding Sissy's hand and appreciating a gorgeous Gulf sunset together. Michael adored his grandchildren, and they are always quick to smile with Papap. Parents smiled with Papap as well, because he was a pro at getting the babies to fall asleep on his chest. He was such a softie with his daughters - taking them shopping for their prom dresses and teaching them how to drive were especially fun memories. He loved his God, his wife, his children and his work. A devout Catholic, Michael's faith was at the core of everything he did. In his orthopedics practice, he mended the broken bones, and often the broken athletic dreams of his patients, many of whom were children and young adults. At home, he and Sissy made tremendous sacrifices to raise and provide for eight children, but he never complained. His love for his children can best be seen by their love for him. Anyone who has spent time with this family has seen that the bond between Michael and Ronnie, their children and grandchildren is one that can't be broken. Michael adored his Sissy. She was the greatest love of his lifetime. Talking with her, laughing with her, traveling with her, dancing with her in the kitchen (often with many young eyes watching), going to dinner with her (Flavio's and Cloyd's were favorites), anything, as long as he was with her. While a quiet man, she energized and ignited a spontaneity in him. He was known to put little quirky knick-knacks in random places around the house. And one of his favorite things to do was to find her when she least expected it and give her a big bear hug. Often surprised and even annoyed at first, it always ended with a laugh and an "Oh Michael!" Those fortunate enough to experience a Cavoto Christmas can still see Ronnie in action, at her best. Prepping food, serving guests, telling jokes, laughing boisterously. And Michael at his best, quietly sitting at the far end of the dining room table, observing and admiring Ronnie in amazement as if it were the first time, though he had lived it countless times before. All the while with a smile on his face. It is of great comfort to those of us who loved Michael to think of that smile on his face once again. Surviving family include: six daughters - CarolLynn Morgan, Newtown, PA; Cynthia Brideau and her husband RJ, Austin, Texas; ChrisTina Mohan and her husband Daniel, Austin, Texas; Caryn Buggey and her husband Matthew, Wexford, PA; Charleen Marie Gledhill and her husband John, Malvern, Pennsylvania; Cylvia Cook and her husband Brian, Apex, North Carolina; two sons - Michael Anthony and his wife, Erin, Austin, Texas; Matthew Joseph and his wife Sarah, Seattle, Washington; ten grandchildren - Lauren, Jack and Luke Brideau, Emily Morgan, Aidan, Kellen, and Amelia Buggey, Ryan Mohan, William Gledhill, Christian Cook, and two siblings - Maryann Barnicle and her husband Daniel, Indiana, Pennsylvania; Francis Joseph Cavoto and his wife Michele, Harrisonburg, Virginia. Family and friends will be received on Friday, March 17, from 4-7p.m. at Bowser-Minich Funeral Home, 500 Ben Franklin Road South, Indiana, PA. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2016 at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Roman Catholic Church, 200 Clairvaux Drive, Indiana, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to: the Christopher House, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin, Texas, 78759.