AT THE CASEY-O'DONNELL FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, WATERBURY CT. William Joseph Cavanaugh, age 78, of Harwood Rd., passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Barbara (Sullivan) Cavanaugh.
A lifelong resident of Waterbury, Bill was born on March 3, 1930 in Waterbury and was raised in the East End of Waterbury. A graduate of Sacred Heart High School, he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Mount St. Mary's College in Maryland and a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Hartford. Bill was a veteran of the US Army who proudly served his country, stateside during the Korean Conflict.
Bill will be remembered most of all as a loving partner and best friend to his wife of 50 years, Barbara, a loving father of 9, a dedicated teacher, avid golfer and a loyal friend. He established his teaching and coaching careers at Terryville, Croft and Wilby High Schools. The majority of his 40 year career was spent at Kennedy High School where he not only made a lasting impression on his students, but also created some of his best and most enduring friendships. Many will remember the lessons he taught outside the classroom as Supervisor of the Waterbury Parks and Recreations, the city pools and the Lakewood and Chase Park Rec. Center. Many more will miss his laughter, never ending jokes and generosity at the Ancient Order of Hibernians, East Mountain Golf Leagues, Waterbury Elks Club and "The Cave". He was a lifelong parishioner of SS Peter & Paul Church.
Bill was the son of the late William J. Sr. and Lucy (Galvin) Cavanaugh. He was loved and will be dearly missed by his wife, Barbara and his children, William "Bill" Cavanaugh III of San Diego, Colleen Cavanaugh of San Francisco, Katie and Mark Forte of Woodbury, Brenda Cavanaugh and Fiance' Martin Toma of Middlebury, Mimi and Jerry DeLaRosa , Ellon "Lonnie" Cavanaugh, Tim Cavanaugh and Marnie Cavanaugh all of Waterbury. He was pre-deceased by a son, Stephen Cavanaugh. He was a very special Grandpa to his 7 grandkids: Brittany and Elon Vilardo, Miranda and Liam Cavanaugh, Marco and Danielle Forte and Marnie DeLaRosa. Bill was a big borther and friend to Marilyn and Paul Keohane of Barnstable MA , Lucy Maye and Michael Galullo of Torrington; James M. and Elaine Cavanaugh of Southington; and Lonnie and Richard Atkins of Woodbury. He loved and will be missed by his many in-laws, his large and close-knit group of nieces and nephews and his many dear friends.
We have all been touched and forever changed by Bill's life and the lessons he taught us;
"live everyday with no regrets, love your family, stand up for what's right, defend the underdog, never shirk responsibility, be loyal to your friends and true to your word". And most important of all: "love and laughter will get you through anything"! He was a great man that will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
Funeral Services for Mr. Cavanaugh will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 9:30am from the Casey-O'Donnell Family Funeral Home 1581 East Main St Waterbury CT to SS Peter & Paul Church 67 Southmayd Rd Waterbury CT for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30am. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Family and friends may visit at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 4-8pm. Memorial donations in Mr. Cavanaugh's memory may be made to: Special Olympics, Connecticut, 2666 State St. Suite #1 Hamden CT 06517-2232 or to the WARC, Waterbury Association for Retarded Children, 1929 East Main St Waterbury CT. For additional information, to light a memorial candle, view a family video tribute or send a on-line condolence, kindly visit the funeral homes website at www.casyodonnell.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William J. J. Cavanaugh Jr., please visit our flower store.
A lifelong resident of Waterbury, Bill was born on March 3, 1930 in Waterbury and was raised in the East End of Waterbury. A graduate of Sacred Heart High School, he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Mount St. Mary's College in Maryland and a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Hartford. Bill was a veteran of the US Army who proudly served his country, stateside during the Korean Conflict.
Bill will be remembered most of all as a loving partner and best friend to his wife of 50 years, Barbara, a loving father of 9, a dedicated teacher, avid golfer and a loyal friend. He established his teaching and coaching careers at Terryville, Croft and Wilby High Schools. The majority of his 40 year career was spent at Kennedy High School where he not only made a lasting impression on his students, but also created some of his best and most enduring friendships. Many will remember the lessons he taught outside the classroom as Supervisor of the Waterbury Parks and Recreations, the city pools and the Lakewood and Chase Park Rec. Center. Many more will miss his laughter, never ending jokes and generosity at the Ancient Order of Hibernians, East Mountain Golf Leagues, Waterbury Elks Club and "The Cave". He was a lifelong parishioner of SS Peter & Paul Church.
Bill was the son of the late William J. Sr. and Lucy (Galvin) Cavanaugh. He was loved and will be dearly missed by his wife, Barbara and his children, William "Bill" Cavanaugh III of San Diego, Colleen Cavanaugh of San Francisco, Katie and Mark Forte of Woodbury, Brenda Cavanaugh and Fiance' Martin Toma of Middlebury, Mimi and Jerry DeLaRosa , Ellon "Lonnie" Cavanaugh, Tim Cavanaugh and Marnie Cavanaugh all of Waterbury. He was pre-deceased by a son, Stephen Cavanaugh. He was a very special Grandpa to his 7 grandkids: Brittany and Elon Vilardo, Miranda and Liam Cavanaugh, Marco and Danielle Forte and Marnie DeLaRosa. Bill was a big borther and friend to Marilyn and Paul Keohane of Barnstable MA , Lucy Maye and Michael Galullo of Torrington; James M. and Elaine Cavanaugh of Southington; and Lonnie and Richard Atkins of Woodbury. He loved and will be missed by his many in-laws, his large and close-knit group of nieces and nephews and his many dear friends.
We have all been touched and forever changed by Bill's life and the lessons he taught us;
"live everyday with no regrets, love your family, stand up for what's right, defend the underdog, never shirk responsibility, be loyal to your friends and true to your word". And most important of all: "love and laughter will get you through anything"! He was a great man that will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
Funeral Services for Mr. Cavanaugh will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 9:30am from the Casey-O'Donnell Family Funeral Home 1581 East Main St Waterbury CT to SS Peter & Paul Church 67 Southmayd Rd Waterbury CT for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30am. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Family and friends may visit at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 4-8pm. Memorial donations in Mr. Cavanaugh's memory may be made to: Special Olympics, Connecticut, 2666 State St. Suite #1 Hamden CT 06517-2232 or to the WARC, Waterbury Association for Retarded Children, 1929 East Main St Waterbury CT. For additional information, to light a memorial candle, view a family video tribute or send a on-line condolence, kindly visit the funeral homes website at www.casyodonnell.com
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