Donald J. Accavallo

Donald “Bomo” J. Accavallo, 80, died July 30, 2025 at Mountain View Center in Rutland after a long illness. He passed away peacefully around midnight with his granddaughter by his side.

He was born on June 23, 1945 in Rutland and was the first of three children born to Louis and Florence (LaCrosse) Accavallo.

Bomo was a graduate of Rutland High School class of 1964. He and his wife were the owners of American Locksmith and then American Safe & Security Co. He took a lot of pride in being a “safe cracker” and often boasted that there was never a safe he couldn’t open.

His favorite hobby was fishing. He loved spending time with his friends out on the lake and he won many fishing tournaments with his nephew and long-time fishing partner Ron, or “Woody” as he called him. Bomo and Woody were the champions of the F.I.S.H. Classic tournament on Saratoga Lake in 1993, winning a brand new Javelin bass boat. Bomo and his wife “R” owned a camp on Lake Bomoseen for many years where many beautiful memories were made. The lake and the water were Bomo’s “happy place”. To him, few things compared to spending a day out on the water, especially in the spring sunshine, with a loved one by his side.

Additional hobbies included snowmobiling, four-wheeling, fixing up anything with an engine, and spending time with friends and family. He was a member of the Italian-American Club in Rutland. His granddaughter lovingly referred to him as a “socialite”, as his days consisted of stopping for donuts at Dellveneri's and then visiting one friend after the next before returning home. He was a very social person. He loved to love, and was loved immensely. He adored vibrant colors with his favorite being purple. He also loved tacky Christmas decorations, watching bull-riding and racing, cracking a witty joke to get a rise out of people, listening to the “oldies”, and learning new things (usually by way of YouTube videos). If he loved you enough you were lucky to get a nickname. And if he thought you looked like a certain celebrity or famous person, or even if he just thought a better name suited you…that is how you would be referred to. All this to say…Bomo was authentic and unique, and lived his life with a freedom of expression that many people long for; he was unapologetically himself.

Above all, he enjoyed spending time with the love of his life, “R”, his beloved granddaughter “Squiggy” and her family, and his cherished dogs over the years Chetty, Bixby, Bronson, and Bobby.

Surviving is his son Donald “Jeff” Accavallo, and his wife Chrissi (Harte), his granddaughter Brittney Accavallo and her husband Brian Bettencourt, his two great-grandchildren Sunny Arlene Bettencourt and Leo Jay Bettencourt, his brother Lee Accavallo and his wife Patty, Brittney's mother Tracy Cahill and family, his brother-in-law Ron Wood Sr., his nephews Ron Wood, Brian Wood, Rex Accavallo and niece Montana Accavallo, and their spouses and children. He is also survived by many devoted friends, far too many to list, but especially his best friend Dick “Dickie” Poalino as well as Guido “Gweets" Forte, John “Wad” Cioffi, Joel “Deeds” Hopperstad, and Tom Patten whose nickname they wouldn’t let us print.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Arlene “R" (Brown) Accavallo, and by his sister Carol Ann Wood.

Special thanks to the Mountain View Center staff for their exceptional care and the love they provided. And to Dr. Sobel for his dedication, compassion, and his unwavering willingness to advocate and fight for his patient’s wishes, whatever they may be.

Visiting hours will be held on September 10, 2025 from 3-5 P.M. at the Clifford Funeral Home. Please reach out to family and close friends on details for the celebration of life to follow.

Bomo loved dogs and had many throughout his life, and his most loyal companion “Bobby” got him through some of his toughest of days after the passing of his sweet “R”.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bomo’s name to the Rutland County Humane Society at 765 Stevens rd, Pittsford, VT 05763.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Clifford Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.cliffordfuneralhome.com