A Fall River legend who performed for Winston Churchill and gave back to the community he loved has passed away

A Fall River legend who led a remarkable and full life has died.

97-year-old Reno “Cuggy” Vavala has passed away after a short period of declining health.

According to an obituary, Vavala was multi-talented whose life brimmed with adventure, creativity, and deep community commitment.

From a young age, Vavala displayed an adventurous spirit, running away from home as a teenager to join the circus and later working as a trainer breaking in racehorses—passions for both the circus and horses that endured throughout his long life. He began his professional career as a jazz drummer in his teens, performing locally before taking the stage in New York and Illinois with numerous prominent musicians. His musical journey paused briefly when he was drafted into the Army in 1951, where he served honorably in combat, returning in 1953 to resume performing—including a memorable gig in Bermuda where his band played “Happy Birthday” for Winston Churchill.

Reno’s musical talents extended beyond performing. He managed several bands, most notably co-founding and leading the Hills Mills Clown Band from 1978 to 2016, which marched in over 2,000 parades, including the annual Children’s Holiday Parade in Fall River. This sparked his work with Citizens for Citizens, where he served as chief talent scout for the parade into his nineties. He was honored as Grand Marshal of the parade in December 2023.

In addition to his music career, Reno excelled in sales, representing a stationery company across New England and working at a men’s clothing store in Fall River, using his exceptional memory for names, stories, jokes, and historical facts, along with his outgoing personality.

Reno also gave back through the Greater Fall River RE-CREATION organization, joining the board in 2003 and later serving as a Senior Aide and Foster Grandparent. His love of music inspired the creation of RE-CREATION’s popular Senior Socials program, while his compassion helped shape numerous community initiatives.

In his later years, Vavala established a permanent monument in Veterans Memorial Bicentennial Park honoring Italian American war casualties from Fall River, a project close to his late brother Bruno’s heart, and he participated in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in 2021 to recognize his own military service.

Vavala lived a rich, joyful life defined by his passions, generosity, and enduring impact.

Following cremation arrangements with the Silva-Faria Funeral Home, Relatives and Friends are invited to attend Reno’s Memorial Funeral Mass to be offered in St. John the Baptist Church, 945 Main Road, Westport at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2026.  His cremains will be laid to rest in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA, with private Committal Service and Military Honors at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Reno’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; 800-805-5856; https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html