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Benjamin Cavileer, supervisor of tolls on Garden State

Benjamin E. Cavileer Sr., 80, of Egg Harbor City, N.J., who retired in 2001 as the New Gretna toll plaza supervisor on the Garden State Parkway, died of complications from heart problems Thursday, Jan. 22, at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center.

Benjamin E. Cavileer Sr.
Benjamin E. Cavileer Sr.Read more

Benjamin E. Cavileer Sr., 80, of Egg Harbor City, N.J., who retired in 2001 as the New Gretna toll plaza supervisor on the Garden State Parkway, died of complications from heart problems Thursday, Jan. 22, at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center.

Born in Lower Bank, Burlington County, Mr. Cavileer graduated from Egg Harbor High School in 1952 and served as an Army Signal Corps communications specialist at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., and Fort Benning, Ga.

He chose what became a three-decade career at Parkway toll stations because "he had a growing family and was looking for something that was steady," son Thomas said.

Among friends and at family gatherings, Mr. Cavileer played guitar and mandolin while a daughter, Linda Scharaga, played guitar.

"He could even play the banjo," his son said. "He was self-taught, at home, when he was young.

"My dad had an ear for music. He could sit down at a piano and pick out a tune."

Mr. Cavileer often took his 16-foot flat bottom boat out onto the Mullica River with his sons, fishing for perch or trapping for crabs on the tidal river.

Sometimes he would take his wife, Margaret, and their children on a visit to the Civil War battlefield of Antietam, then to Harpers Ferry, W.Va., and Gettysburg.

"We would do the loop, camping all the way," his son said.

Mr. Cavileer grew up on a family farm in Lower Bank and for a time grew vegetables on his own plot there.

"He really enjoyed growing his own food," his son said. Until recently, "he had a garden here at our house. I have sheets of notes" he wrote about what worked and what didn't.

Besides his son, daughter, and wife of 58 years, Mr. Cavileer is survived by son Benjamin E. Jr.; daughters Mary Surkin, Margaret Kraiter, Andrea, and Linda; a brother; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A viewing was set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, at St. Nicholas Church, 525 St. Louis Ave., Egg Harbor City, before an 11 a.m. Funeral Mass there, with interment in Egg Harbor Cemetery.

Donations may be sent to Lower Bank Volunteer Fire Co., 2039 River Rd., Egg Harbor City, N.J. 08215.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.wimbergfuneralhome.com.

610-313-8134 @WNaedele