Obituary for Joseph M. Caverly
PETERSBURGH - A gentleman of long life with a passion for bringing recreation, arts and cultural events into parks across America for the enrichment of all people. Joe passed away November 5, 2020 at the age of 98.
Joseph Michael Caverly was born to John & Alice Caverly on April 22, 1922. He was the fourth of five boys growing up on the farm in Waverly, NY. After graduating high school, he enrolled at Ithaca College, New York, majoring in physical education. He interrupted his studies in 1943 to attend Navy Fitness School where he graduated 1st Class Specialist (A) and was assigned to San Diego Amphibious Base as an instructor in physical fitness. He was shipped overseas and assigned to underwater demolition (frogmen) at Maui, Hawaii. Next he was sent with four frogmen teams to Oceanside, California in preparation for the mainland invasion of Japan, where he was in charge of training those four teams. When the war ended, Joe was sent to the University of Southern California (USC) as director of physical fitness for Navy trainees. While at USC, he took physical education courses and transferred the credits to Ithaca College when he returned, enabling him to graduate with a degree in Physical Education in 1947.
After College, Joe was first hired as Recreation Director in Hudson Fall, NY. This refocused his ambitions to coach and teach Physical Education. It was the beginning of a long and fulfilling career in the emerging field of public recreation and parks management.
Next, he took on the challenge of Executive Director of the Geneva NY Youth Bureau. With a college friend, Mary Alice Hilgenburg as assistant director, they worked endless hours to resurrect a failing youth center. Governor Thomas Dewey was in attendance to celebrate the grand reopening. Joe and Mary were married March 31, 1951.
His career gained recognition when they moved to Pelham NY for the position of Superintendent of Recreation. While in Pelham, Joe attended New York University where he earned a Masters Degree in Recreation Administration. In 1953 he became the first superintendent of Recreation & Parks in Freeport, NY. He took on the challenge of the much larger community of Rochester, NY in 1957. It was said, “In his 12 years as director, he has transformed the recreation program from a system riddled with politics, patronage, inefficiency, and lack of facilities into a smoothly run, professionally staffed, innovative operation”.
Joe and his family left Rochester and headed west in 1969 when he accepted the position of General Manager of the San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department. Here he broadened the approach to funding by building partnerships with the business community. While there he established one of the first “Friends” entities that are now so prevalent and helpful for raising funds. Joe was involved in the establishment of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. His convincing testimony at a Senate hearing on Capitol Hill brought five miles of San Francisco coastal beaches into preservation. The final chapter of Joe’s professional career was a return to New York as Commissioner of Westchester County Department of Parks Recreation and Conservation in 1975. His leadership followed the pattern that characterized his career. There he reorganized and improved the five public golf courses into financially profitable and self-sufficient operations. He initiated nature programs in many county parks, sanctuaries, and museums. He created multiple special events and music festivals, developed an interpretive farm, and built bike trails around the county. He was involved in the rejuvenation of Playland Amusement Park and the donation of substantial property for park development. Joe was an active member of local, state, and national professional organizations.
Joe received The Pugsley Medal, a national award in Parks and Recreation in 1999. In a write up with that honor, the following was said, “Caverly’s greatest asset was his personality. It accounted for much of the relentless record of success, which characterized his career. His strength was to bring people together in the public and business sector, neighborhood communities, school and other organizations. Secretary of the Interior, Manuel Lujon, described him as “unwaveringly fair, courteous, and friendly”, while the Mayor of San Francisco affectionately referred to him as “the genial Irishman from New York”. However, this geniality was accompanied by a fortitude, determination, commitment, and belief in the field, which were key to surmounting the challenges with which he was confronted at every step of his career.”
Joe and Mary retired to Petersburgh, NY. They were active members in the Sacred Heart/Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church. Together they continued Mary’s consulting business, Creative Leisure Services, but mostly spent their years enjoying family, friends, and their own leisure pursuits. Joe was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting well into his 90s. His own recreation kept him in good health as he was active with skiing in his 80s, as well as golf, horseshoes, and gardening into his 90s.
Joe and Mary shared their love of life with those around them. Summer canoe and camping trips are fond family memories. Joe built a backyard skating rink where his kids learned to skate. It was not uncommon to find him with his children and the neighborhood kids instructing them in sport skills, trampoline fundamentals or taking a group on a nature walk. He encouraged and supported his children and others to explore their interests, to be honest and fair.
Joe is predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary, of 54 years and his beautiful daughter, Patricia Kjeldgaard. He is survived by son-in-law, Loren Kjeldgaard of Kalama, WA, Joan (Michael) Buzerak of Petersburgh, NY, Robert (Cindy) Caverly of Auburn, CA, Jim Caverly of Duck, NC, along with seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
A memorial is planned for August 2021, in Petersburgh, NY.
Arrangements are by the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home in Petersburgh. Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.
Joseph Michael Caverly was born to John & Alice Caverly on April 22, 1922. He was the fourth of five boys growing up on the farm in Waverly, NY. After graduating high school, he enrolled at Ithaca College, New York, majoring in physical education. He interrupted his studies in 1943 to attend Navy Fitness School where he graduated 1st Class Specialist (A) and was assigned to San Diego Amphibious Base as an instructor in physical fitness. He was shipped overseas and assigned to underwater demolition (frogmen) at Maui, Hawaii. Next he was sent with four frogmen teams to Oceanside, California in preparation for the mainland invasion of Japan, where he was in charge of training those four teams. When the war ended, Joe was sent to the University of Southern California (USC) as director of physical fitness for Navy trainees. While at USC, he took physical education courses and transferred the credits to Ithaca College when he returned, enabling him to graduate with a degree in Physical Education in 1947.
After College, Joe was first hired as Recreation Director in Hudson Fall, NY. This refocused his ambitions to coach and teach Physical Education. It was the beginning of a long and fulfilling career in the emerging field of public recreation and parks management.
Next, he took on the challenge of Executive Director of the Geneva NY Youth Bureau. With a college friend, Mary Alice Hilgenburg as assistant director, they worked endless hours to resurrect a failing youth center. Governor Thomas Dewey was in attendance to celebrate the grand reopening. Joe and Mary were married March 31, 1951.
His career gained recognition when they moved to Pelham NY for the position of Superintendent of Recreation. While in Pelham, Joe attended New York University where he earned a Masters Degree in Recreation Administration. In 1953 he became the first superintendent of Recreation & Parks in Freeport, NY. He took on the challenge of the much larger community of Rochester, NY in 1957. It was said, “In his 12 years as director, he has transformed the recreation program from a system riddled with politics, patronage, inefficiency, and lack of facilities into a smoothly run, professionally staffed, innovative operation”.
Joe and his family left Rochester and headed west in 1969 when he accepted the position of General Manager of the San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department. Here he broadened the approach to funding by building partnerships with the business community. While there he established one of the first “Friends” entities that are now so prevalent and helpful for raising funds. Joe was involved in the establishment of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. His convincing testimony at a Senate hearing on Capitol Hill brought five miles of San Francisco coastal beaches into preservation. The final chapter of Joe’s professional career was a return to New York as Commissioner of Westchester County Department of Parks Recreation and Conservation in 1975. His leadership followed the pattern that characterized his career. There he reorganized and improved the five public golf courses into financially profitable and self-sufficient operations. He initiated nature programs in many county parks, sanctuaries, and museums. He created multiple special events and music festivals, developed an interpretive farm, and built bike trails around the county. He was involved in the rejuvenation of Playland Amusement Park and the donation of substantial property for park development. Joe was an active member of local, state, and national professional organizations.
Joe received The Pugsley Medal, a national award in Parks and Recreation in 1999. In a write up with that honor, the following was said, “Caverly’s greatest asset was his personality. It accounted for much of the relentless record of success, which characterized his career. His strength was to bring people together in the public and business sector, neighborhood communities, school and other organizations. Secretary of the Interior, Manuel Lujon, described him as “unwaveringly fair, courteous, and friendly”, while the Mayor of San Francisco affectionately referred to him as “the genial Irishman from New York”. However, this geniality was accompanied by a fortitude, determination, commitment, and belief in the field, which were key to surmounting the challenges with which he was confronted at every step of his career.”
Joe and Mary retired to Petersburgh, NY. They were active members in the Sacred Heart/Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church. Together they continued Mary’s consulting business, Creative Leisure Services, but mostly spent their years enjoying family, friends, and their own leisure pursuits. Joe was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting well into his 90s. His own recreation kept him in good health as he was active with skiing in his 80s, as well as golf, horseshoes, and gardening into his 90s.
Joe and Mary shared their love of life with those around them. Summer canoe and camping trips are fond family memories. Joe built a backyard skating rink where his kids learned to skate. It was not uncommon to find him with his children and the neighborhood kids instructing them in sport skills, trampoline fundamentals or taking a group on a nature walk. He encouraged and supported his children and others to explore their interests, to be honest and fair.
Joe is predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary, of 54 years and his beautiful daughter, Patricia Kjeldgaard. He is survived by son-in-law, Loren Kjeldgaard of Kalama, WA, Joan (Michael) Buzerak of Petersburgh, NY, Robert (Cindy) Caverly of Auburn, CA, Jim Caverly of Duck, NC, along with seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
A memorial is planned for August 2021, in Petersburgh, NY.
Arrangements are by the Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home in Petersburgh. Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.