Joseph “Joey” Cavatorta III, 47, of Assumption, passed away on Thursday, May 12 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL.
He was born on September 26, 1974 in Springfield to Joseph Cavatorta, Jr. and Florence Lou Verda “Verdie” (Hamell) Cavatorta. He married Jordan Lefever on October 12, 2013 in Navarre Beach, FL in a beautiful beach ceremony surrounded by friends and family. Whatever Joey did, he did passionately. At 17, he started his first business, Three C’s Collectibles, with his father in Taylorville, IL. At 36, he opened Crossroad Car Connection in Shelbyville, IL and ran it successfully for ten years. He was very proud of both businesses and loved being his own boss. He was also active in education, working with special-needs children and later as a substitute teacher at Central A&M, where he often ran into his daughter in the halls long enough for a quick hug. Joey was a knowledgeable and talented musician – songwriter, guitar player, and singer. He recorded an album of original songs with the band Can’t Imagine and co-founded the band The Remedy with friends, going on to play with them for 17 years. He was a great collector of vinyl and had a vast knowledge of rock, classical, and jazz. Later, he combined his love of music and teaching by giving music lessons to kids. Joey also loved to golf – the game itself as well as the beauty and peacefulness of the golf course.
Family was everything to Joey, and no one more than the light of his life, his daughter Jolie Renee. He became a father later in life and truly relished the job. They went geocaching together and read bedtime stories, and he was always present at her many sports and activities, never missing a chance to drive Jolie in parades during her reign as Little Miss Christian County.
Joey was always giving back to his family, friends, and community, and with his death, he chose to continue giving of himself through being an organ donor (through Gift of Hope) to help others live.
Joey is survived by his wife, Jordan; daughter, Jolie Renee; father, Joseph Cavatorta and stepmother, Sharon Cavatorta, both of Mount Carmel, IL; brother, Gregg (Dawn) Crites of Taylorville, IL; stepbrothers, Chad (Ashley) Cobb of Manchester, OH and Josh (Megan) Cobb of Booneville, IN; stepsister, Danielle Hall of Chandler, IN; thirteen nephews; and four nieces. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother.
A visitation for Joey will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Sutton Memorial Home, 327 N. Clay, Taylorville, IL 62568. Funeral services will immediately follow, Pastor James Baldwin officiating. In memory of Joey, the family asks that visitors wear a t-shirt sporting their favorite rock band or casual attire as they choose. Cremation rites will be accorded at a later date.
Memorials may be made c/o Sutton Memorial Home to assist the family with funeral expenses.
Please sign our online guestbook at www.suttonmemorialhome.com
