Fr. Victor Vincent "Vic" Cavalli O.P.

September 23, 1921 - February 5, 2016

Fr. Vic died peacefully at home, surrounded by the friars of his Dominican community, at St. Dominic Parish, in Benicia, CA. Until illness prevented him, he was a visible and active minister at St. Dominic’s Church, where he served since 1999. Even in his old age, he made “house calls” to the homebound bringing communion and compassion. Fr. Cavalli was born in Switzerland, came to California as an infant, and was orphaned as a young child. The Dominican sisters of Mission San Jose cared for him at their Albertinum School in Ukiah, and he later attended St. Mary’s High School in Berkeley, and St. Mary’s College, in Moraga. The young Vic Cavalli entered the Dominican Order in 1942 and was ordained a priest in June, 1948. He served as pastor of Dominican parishes in Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Benicia, and as director of St. Raymond Retreat Center, in Thousand Oaks. As pastor he was known as a compassionate consoler of the afflicted. Parishioners and friars, including many fellow priests, looked up to him and sought him out for his wise, no-nonsense counsel. Fr. Cavalli will probably be best remembered for the years he spent in Los Angeles, at St. John Vianney (later Daniel Murphy) High School, where he was teacher, Prefect of Discipline, and Principal. His high school students include a former chief of the Los Angeles police force, and a director of the city’s fire department. He said more than once that his greatest joy was bringing Christ to the children. Funeral Services: Thursday February 11th, at St. Dominic Church, Benicia, CA: 4:00 to 6:30 pm Viewing and 7 pm Vigil Service. Friday, February 12th, at St. Dominic Church, Benicia, CA: 10:00 am Funeral Mass, followed immediately by burial at St. Dominic Cemetery, Benicia, CA, followed by a reception. To honor the memory of Fr. Vic, gifts made be made securely online at opwest.org/frvicmemorial to support the education of future Dominican priests and brothers.