Rene J. Cavasso was an early resident of Oakland, and a founding member of the Society of Oakland Pioneers. He contributed several articles to the "Ye Olden Oakland Days" series in the Oakland Tribune in the early 1920s.
Two obituaries, from newspaper clippings:
Organizer of Pioneer Society Succumbs at 741
R. J. Cavasso Also Was Member of First Oakland Guard Unit.
Funeral services for one of Oakland's oldest pioneers, R. J. Cavasso, who died yesterday at his home, 3416 Piedmont avenue, after a lingering illness, will be held tomorrow afternoon from undertaking parlors at 4999 Piedmont avenue.
Cavasso, 74, a native of Murphys, California, had been a resident of Oakland for the past [illegible] years. In early days he conducted a mercantile establishment here, and later was a rancher in Crow canyon, Heyard. [sic, probably 'Hayward'] He helped Attorney Fred L. Button and William E. Brode, [sic, 'Blote'] also early Oakland residents, organize the Oakland Pioneers many years ago, and until his death was the organization's secretary. Cavasso was a member of the "Old Guard," the first Oakland light cavalry contingent of the National Guard of fifty years ago, and belonged to Paramount lodge No. 17, K. of P. He has been retired from active business for a number of years. Cavasso had been ill for the last year.
Surviving him is a widow, Annie E. Cavasso; three sisters, Mrs. Mary A. MacDonald, Mrs. Julia Larkins, residents of Oakland, and Mrs. Tillie Enter of Stockton, and two brothers, Leon Cavasso of Oakland and a Edward Cavasso of Stockton.
CAVASSO2 - In Oakland, July 31, 1927, Rene Justin Cavasso, husband of Annie E. Cavasso; brother of Mrs. Mary A. MacDonald, Mrs. Julia Larkin, Mrs. Tillie Enter and Edouard and Leon Cavasso and the late I. L. Cavasso; late secretary of Oakland Pioneers and member of Paramount Lodge No. 17, K. of P.; a native of California, aged 74 years.
Friends are invited to attend funeral services, Tuesday afternoon, August 2, at 12:30 o'clock at the chapel of the California Crematorium, 4499 Piedmont avenue. Paramount Lodge No. 17 will hold services Monday evening, August 1, at 8 o'clock at the chapel of Albert Brown Co., 582 Thirteenth street.
