Obituary: Anthony LaCava, Founder of Wheels of Happiness

The following is from Brasco & Sons Memorial Funeral Home.

Anthony LaCava, of Waltham, passed away Tuesday morning, Sept. 2, 2014 with his loving family by his side in Newton–Wellesley Hospital after a long illness at the age of 88.

Born on June 14, 1926 in Newton, son of the late Joseph and Mary (Camuti) LaCava, Rags resided in Waltham for most of his life.

After attending Waltham Vocational High School, he joined the U.S. Navy and proudly served during World War II.

Rags was selfless and always giving of himself to those less fortunate. In 1985, he founded and served as president for the Wheels of Happiness, a non-profit organization devoted to improving the quality of life for the developmentally disabled. Wheels of Happiness provided recreation, entertainment and transportation to hundreds of developmentally disabled individuals throughout the two decades that Rags served as president. The Moose dances, bowling at the Wal-Lex and the overnight trips to Lake George are just a few of the many activities Rags and his army of volunteers organized for the benefit of the developmentally disabled.

In June of 2014, the City of Waltham recognized Anthony “Rags” LaCava by dedicating in his name the intersection of Moody Street and Wadsworth Avenue for his many years of commitment and devotion to making a better quality of life for so many residents of Waltham especially those developmentally disabled.

He was a past governor and life member of the Waltham Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #1018, a past member of the Sons of Italy Dante Algheri Lodge #648 in Waltham and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2152 on Felton Street in Waltham.

An avid sports fan, Rags enjoyed following all the Boston sports teams. He enjoyed watching golf and his frequent trips to Foxwoods. He also enjoyed his regular breakfast and lunch meetings with many of his friends over the years.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years Pauline (McDonald) LaCava, his loving and devoted children Linda Ahlman of Waltham, Janice LaCava of Derry, New Hampshire, Bud LaCava and his wife Linda of Weston, and Loyce Catanzaro and her husband Joseph of Holliston, his cherished granddaughters Rhonda Hanley and her husband Jack, Kara LaCava-Murray and her husband DJ, Jenna and Dana LaCava, and Kelsey and Michaela Catanzaro, his great grandchildren Tyler Hanley, and Toni and Halie Dupell, step-grandsons Robert and Mark Byrne, his dear sister Connie Richards of Waltham, and sisters-in-law Theresa LaCava and Mary LaCava, both of Waltham. In addition, he is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Beloved father of the late Raymond “Roy” LaCava and his son-in-law the late Rocky Alhman. Beloved brother of his late siblings Ann Taranto, Charles LaCava, Josephine Girolamo, Salvatore LaCava, James LaCava, Frances Chute, Joseph LaCava and Roy LaCava.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a funeral service in celebration of Anthony’s life in the Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco & Sons on Saturday morning, Sept. 6, at 10:30 a.m. Committal services with U.S. Navy Military Honors will follow at Mount Feake Cemetery in Waltham. Visiting hours will be held in the Brasco & Sons Memorial Funeral Home on Friday, Sept. 5, from 4-8 p.m. Parking attendants will be on duty.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Rag’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.