Harold Caraviello, Sr.

It is with a heavy heart that the family of Harold Earl Caraviello Sr. (92) announces his passing peacefully and surrounded by love on February 7, 2025. He was known by many affectionate nicknames, including Hootis, Handle it Hal, and The Magnificent W.O.O.O., but to us, he was simply our Dad, our Daddy, Papa, our Papason—the man who loved us with all his “hart.” 

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1932, Harold was the youngest of seven and grew up in the Ansonborough neighborhood. He often regaled us with stories of his youth, where the whole downtown was his playground—especially of making and then sailing miniature boats on Colonial Lake. Always a kid at heart, he loved taking us there when we were little, showing us exactly where the boats that didn’t make it rested on the bottom of the lake.

As a first-generation Italian American, he proudly served in the infantry during the Korean War. After returning from Korea, he married his beloved wife, Faye, and continued serving his country for eight more years in the Coast Guard. He spent the rest of his career in the electronics and communications industries, living in Goose Creek, S.C., where he raised his family with his “darling” wife, Faye. 

Harold embraced life, music, comedy, and most of all, his family. And if you walked through the door of his home, you were family. His ideal weekend night was spent entertaining everyone with card tricks or magic, playing poker with his family, and ending the night with music and dancing with all of his daughters, daughters-in-law, and granddaughters. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family, never met a stranger, and would give anyone the shirt off his back. He treated his daughters like princesses and taught his sons about the ways of the world. He welcomed his children’s spouses as his own and, most of all, taught his family the meaning of true unconditional love.

Papa had a special bond with his grandchildren, always making them feel cherished and adored. Whether it was doubling their dollars (where he always let them win), making pancakes, or greeting them with a warm "hey darlin’," he made every moment feel magical. He loved telling them stories, playing pranks and games, and ensuring his home was a haven of joy and laughter, including the constant reminder that he’s “not trying to cool Goose Greek.” To his grandchildren, he was a lifelong friend, a mentor, and a source of endless fun and affection.He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of sixty-nine years, Faye; his brothers, Joseph, Charlie Jr., and Angelo; his sisters, Madeline, Mildred, and Virginia; and his parents, Charles P. and Marie (Bollo) Caraviello. 

He is survived by his big, beautiful family, who will miss him dearly: sons Harold Jr. (Darlene) of Georgia, Steven (Vanessa) of South Carolina, Donald of South Carolina, and Tony (Debbie) of South Carolina; daughters Sherran (Michael) of South Carolina, Donna (Roger) of Georgia, and Gina (Demetrius) of Georgia; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild. 

A special heartfelt message to our rock of a sister, Sherran, for the dedication, love, and special care she gave Daddy over the last eight months. The family would also like to express their deep and sincere gratitude to his care team at South Carolina House Calls, his companion caregivers at Divine Care Home in Goose Creek, S.C., and his hospice nurse, Mei Mei—your care, compassion, love, and support helped our whole family in ways that are immeasurable. 

A Full Military Honors Service and Celebration of Life will be held on March 15, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 869 St. James Ave., Goose Creek, S.C. 29445. Interment of ashes will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to a veteran’s organization of your choice Daddy’s honor.