Cavoli's Grinding Svce

In 1938, Vigilio Cavoli came to America from the birthplace of knife grinding, Pinzolo in the province of Trentino, Italy. Vigilio's wife Marina, (born in the United States before moving to Italy) came to America in 1937 to lay the groundwork for the immigration of her husband and four sons. In 1938, Vigilio Cavoli came to America from the birthplace of knife grinding, Pinzolo in the province of Trentino, Italy. Vigilio's wife Marina, (born in the United States before moving to Italy) came to America in 1937 to lay the groundwork for the immigration of her husband and four sons. Vigilio became working in March of 1938 as a knife sharpener with his brother-in-law in Lowell, Massachusetts. In 1939, Marina returned to Italy to prepare her sons for the trip to America. Unfortunately World War II broke out and the family wasn't able to reunite until 1947. In the summer of 1947, Vigilio moved his family and his business to the Foster Avenue area of Schenectady, New York. He first worked from a pushcart with a grindstone mounted on top. He went from market to market sharpening knives. Eventually, Vigilio went from a pushcart to a truck which allowed him to service more customer. Vigilio retired from the business in 1968. Vigilio's craft was passed on to his two sons, Claude Sr. and Adone. By this time, the company spread to cover the entire Capital Region of New York. Now after 70 years of service, Cavoli's Grinding Service Inc is being run by third generation cousins, Claude Jr. and Carmelo. The company employs 12 people and runs a shop in the Bellvue area of Schenectady. The coverage has grown to a majority of Upstate New York and Southern Vermont.