Donald Joseph Caven

Donald J. Caven, 79 years of age, of Aurora, Colorado was born in Quincy, Massachusetts and passed away on February 18th, 2011. He was preceded in death by his first wife Joyce Noreen, his daughter Kathy and his brother Al (John). Don is survived by his wife Joyce Darlene, daughters Jennifer Edwards, Marcia Caven and Julie Caven; grandchildren Jason (Kristen) Audette, Jennifer (Andy) Audette-Johnson, Jack Audette; Katie and Michael Edwards; Kassandra, Donnie and Elizabeth Lee; great grandchildren Amara and Rhiannon Johnson; Isaac, Ian and Michael Audette; extended family members, nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends. He was much loved and will be missed! Don was born into a ""Boston Irish"" family, and held those values his entire life. He joined the Merchant Marine following his graduation from Boston College High School, at the age of 17. He traveled to many areas during his tour of duty with the Merchant Marine, including Korea, Alaska, and much of the pacific. Following the Merchant Marine, he then joined the United States Air Force. He served with the USAF for 23 years, with tours of duty to Turkey, Korea, England, and multiple bases in the United States, including Maine, Texas, and Colorado, where his four children were born. He was married to Joyce Noreen Southard, on May 28th, 1955. They were married for 25 years, and had four daughters, Kathleen, Jennifer, Marcia, and Julia. He was with the Air Force for 23 years, retiring in 1976. He then began his second career with civil service until he retired in 1994. During this time, his first grandchild, Jason Audette was born in 1977, followed by Jennifer Audette (Johnson) in 1979, Katie Edwards in 1986, Jack Audette in 1989, Michael Edwards in 1991, Kassandra Lee in 1994, Donnie Lee in 1996 and Elisabeth Lee in 1996. He enjoyed his retirement to the hilt, traveling to new places, and traveling to old places to see beloved friends and family. He was very close to his brother John (Al), and his wife Sally Caven. He was also very close to his cousins, Harry, Kenny, and Billy Way, and their sister, Marion Michaelowski. He spoke often of them to his children and grandchildren, and it was very important to him that his children knew them and visited them as well. He also had a close relationship with his nieces and nephews: John (Packy), Mike, June, Patricia, and Michelle. Being the family man he was, that relationship also extended to their children as well. He retained his love of Massachusetts his entire life, visiting it every year to see his family there, including the ""Fraser Girls"", and their brother Paul. Leo, and his children and the friends he met there. Don was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 39 years, and met many lifelong friends. One individual in particular that has become a special friend over the years is John Sutton. After retirement, Don was involved in many community service activities including the Aurora Citizens Police Academy, Fireman's Citizen Academy, Arapahoe County Sherriff Department, Commission for Seniors, Assessment Board for Police and Fire Department of Aurora and Eucharistic Minister at Saint Pius X Parish After the death of Joyce Noreen Caven, the mother of his children, he was remarried to Joyce Darlene Coy on December 31st 1988. She joined him in his love for travel visiting various places in Europe and the Middle East. Don was an important part of Joyce's children's lives, Ann Nabholz and Richard Coy (Tamis), He continued to be a part of their grandchildren's lives as well, Shannon Coy-Ovel (Clayton), Portia Coy, and Nicholas Nabholz; and her great grandchildren Savanna, Adrianna and Gabriel. One of Don's greatest moments came in 2004 when the Boston Red Sox won the World Series after an 86 year drought. He was an avid fan of the Red Sox, as well as the Bruins, and of course the Boston Celtics. He did also adopt many of Colorado's sports teams as well. Don enjoyed time with his friends and his family, no matter where he had to travel in order to see them. He had friends in many areas including Gene and Joann in Hawaii, Norman and Betty in England, and Mike and Sigle in Ireland. And many other countless friends that he sometimes only knew for a short time. Don was known for his faith, his sense of humor, and mainly for his interest in travel and reading. Don Caven never truly met a stranger, and was the best Husband, Dad, Papa, Brother, Cousin, Uncle, and friend that anyone could have asked for, and will be deeply missed by each and every one of us. A Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 6:30 PM at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 13670 East 13th Place, Aurora, Colorado 80011. A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 10:00 AM at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 13670 East 13th Place, Aurora, Colorado 80011. Burial Services will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Pavillion ""C"", 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, Colorado 80235 on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 12:15 PM. Please share your memories of Don and condolences with his family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" link.