Vincent R. Caravan, 91
Former Valley News Publisher
FULTON, NY – Vincent R. Caravan, 91, of Fulton, died Sunday Nov. 3, 2013, at his home of apparent heart failure.
He was the publisher of The Valley News from 1972 until 2010 when ownership of the newspaper was taken over by The Scotsman Press.
A native of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, he was born September 18, 1922, the sixth of 10 children of Italian immigrants Stephen and Theresa Caravan.
After graduation from Pottsville High School, he entered the U.S. Army and fought during World War II in the European Theatre. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for wounds suffered in action in Italy.
He returned to the U.S. and was stationed for the rest of his enlistment in western Pennsylvania where he met the late Isabelle Slater with whom he was married In January 1946.
After the war, Vincent returned to Pottsville and worked for his father’s commercial printing company. In 1950 he purchased a small printing firm in Fulton and moved there permanently.
In the late 1950s, he was hired by Oswego Valley News owners Colson and Beatrice Carr and became managing editor of the newspaper in 1958.
Over the next several years, he upgraded the news content of the small community newspaper with exclusive coverage of municipal meetings and local sports, Including photography. He also wrote both news and sports columns at various times for the publication.
In 1972, Vincent became owner of the newspaper and eventually changed its name to The Valley News to further affirm its Fulton identity.
By the late 1970s, the newspaper was winning awards for its local news and sports coverage from the New York Press Association, and developed into one of the leading community newspapers in the region under his guidance.
He was a member of the American Legion Post #268 and the Fulton VFW Post #569.
He was the recipient of several awards and honors for achievements in journalism, and was inducted into the Fulton Athletic Boosters Hall of Fame in 2008 as well as the Fulton City Bowling Association Hall of Fame In 1976.
He served on numerous civic boards and committees during his career, including as chairman of the board of the Greater Fulton Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Fulton Board of Education in the 1970s. In his later years he was a member of the Dexterville Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
He is survived by his son, Ronald (Nancy) Caravan of Phoenix; granddaughters, Michelle (Herbert) Stockschlaeder of Buffalo, Adrienne (Joseph) Gabalski of Manassas, Virginia, and Lisa Caravan of Auburn, Alabama; six great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mary Caravan and Florence Kane of Pottsville, Pennsylvania.
He was predeceased by his wife, Isabelle Slater Caravan, who died in 2007.
Calling hours will be held Thursday 4 to 7 p.m. at Sugar Funeral Home, 224 W. Second St., Fulton.
The funeral service will be conducted 10 a.m. Friday, at the First United Methodist Church, 1408 Curtis St., with Elder Comley of Dexterville Seventh-Day Adventist Church and Pastor David Grey of Mount Pleasant UM Church officiating.
Burial will be in Mount Adnah Cemetery in Fulton.
The Fulton VFW Post #569 Honor Guard will bestow military honors.
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I WAS SAD TO HEAR OF VINCES PASSING. I WILL MISS SAYING HELLO AND TALKING TO HIM AT THE DINNER.