John Cavalli, 68, of Ellensburg Wash. and former resident of Orcas Island and Santa Barbara, Calif. passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Dec. 5, 2012.

Born Feb. 2, 1944 to Otto and Thelma Cavalli in the small mining town of Red Mountain California. The family moved to Santa Barbara in the early 50’s. They owned and operated Cavalli Brothers Dairy.

John was the first born followed by Michael of Santa Barbara, Richard of Mission Viejo, Nina Davis of Las Vegas and David of Santa Barbara. After High School in Santa Barbara John served in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1967 as an electronics technician. He went back to school after the Air Force to continue his studies at Santa Barbara City College where he was a mathematics and geology major.

After finishing his schooling he took a job with Vercal Plastics and quickly rose to the position of superintendant of plant operations. He was very proud of his seven years there.

John moved his family to Orcas Island in the early 1980’s. He was an electrician and the maintenance director at Rosario Resort for almost 20 years. In his years on Orcas Island, John was a reserve deputy for the San Juan County Police Department as well as a volunteer, and later battalion chief in the Orcas Island Fire Department. He was dedicated to serving his community, and he loved island life and the wonderful friends he had there.

John leaves behind his devoted wife Billie of Ellensburg, his four children: Todd, Callie, John Kevin and Corie all of the Seattle area, and their mother, Marylee Tilla of Lake Stevens.

The memorial service is open to all who wish to share their last respects for John; it will be Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 1:30 p.m., at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent/Covington. Memorials in John’s name may be given to Hospice Friends of Kittitas Valley in care of Brookside Funeral Home 101 E 2nd Ave Ellensburg, WA 98926.

Arrangements are being held by the Brookside Funeral Home of Ellensburg, Washington.