Victor J Scaravilli

Victor Joseph Scaravilli, 95, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, inventor and patent holder, entrepreneur and businessman, philanthropist of the arts, mentor and friend to everyone he met, passed away in Cleveland, Ohio on October 14, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.

Victor will be missed by his wife of 57 years, Diann (nee Giunta), children Cynthia Scaravilli, Victoria Colligan (Katrin), Alexandra Quinn (Andrew), JJ Scaravilli (Heidi); grandchildren Federico Maiola (Alisen), Alessandro Maiola (Emily), Chloe Colligan, Somerset Colligan, Olivia Quinn, Victoria Quinn, Andrew Quinn, Jr., Cassidy Scaravilli and Coco Scaravilli; and great-grandchild Stella Maiola. He was predeceased by his daughter Charlene and granddaughters Scout and Chasey Scaravilli.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 7, 1929, Victor was the cherished son of Joseph Victor and Costantina Scaravilli (nee Ragonese). Victor was a first generation American, an honor he never took for granted.

Victor attended the McDonogh School in Pikesville, MD and in 1947, he graduated high school from Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, PA with honors. He continued his education at Case Institute of Technology (Case Western Reserve University) in Cleveland, Ohio and received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1953.

As a young man, Victor spent his summers working with his father in construction.  After completing his education, he joined his father in the tunnel construction business. Together, Victor and his father carved a legacy in the field of tunnel construction. In 1960,he founded S&M Constructors, Inc., a global construction firm, where he served as President and Chairman. Continuing his father’s dream of eliminating the use of dynamite in tunnel construction, he founded Jarva, Inc. where he invented the first successful hard rock tunnel boring machine. Two of Victor’s projects, utilizing his invention, broke “the 7-day record for rapid tunneling” and were featured in the Guinness Book of World records between 1983 and1986.His construction career included tunnels for all applications including subways in Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Melbourne, Australia, to name a few; railroad tunnels in Canada and New Zealand; and an untold number of tunnels throughout the United States for the conveyance of freshwater and sewage.

As a pioneer in the field of tunnel construction, he was associated with several professional organizations including American Underground Space Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers, The Moles and The Beavers. He lectured at the University of Beijing in China and the National Science Foundation at Deerfield Academy. He served professionally on several industry-related boards including Bortec, Inc., Atlas Copco/Jarva, The Robbins Company and American Underground Space.

In 1999, Victor founded Hydro Partners, LLC for the purpose of developing hydroelectric power plants in Brazil. Joined by his son JJ in 2001, Victor and JJ carried on the father-son tradition of working together and the family construction legacy. They built numerous tunnels throughout the United States and developed two hydroelectric power plants in Brazil that today, generate electricity for residents in the area. Victor and JJ were involved in heavy, civil construction until 2012 when they formed The Vitruvian Group for the purpose of acquiring, building and holding regional industrial manufacturing companies.

Outside of being a brilliant entrepreneur, Victor was a philanthropist and, along with his wife Diann, was actively involved in the arts and civic activities as well as serving on the Boards of the Cleveland Ballet, the Cleveland Institute of Music, Case Western Reserve University: Board of Overseers and Playhouse Square Foundation.

Victor cherished his family the most, but his love, patience and brilliance were felt by everyone that knew him. Ever the gentleman, he listened intently and spoke with kindness. Those who had the privilege of crossing paths with Victor have said “the world is a lesser place without him. He was a man of integrity and vision. People felt fortunate to be around him, and it was a true privilege to know him”.

Victor “built things” but if you were to ask him today what he was most proud of “building”, he would undoubtedly say, his most valuable achievement was the loving family he built. Small in stature, but mighty in heart and mind, Victor was truly a remarkable man.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests that contributions be made to 

Cleveland Ballet - Attn: Development Office, 23020 Miles Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44128, (216) 320-9000 Ext. 105

(www.cleveballet.org/donate) 

Cleveland Museum of Art, Attn: Chelsea:  11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44106 - (216) 707-2266

 (https://donate.clevelandart.org/tribute)

Playhouse Square, 1501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, (216) 640-8409.

(www.playhousesquare.org/giving-support-main/giving-support).

Memorial Mass Friday, October 25, 2024 at Gesu Church at 11 a.m. Private interment to be held at a later date.