PAXTON-John V. Cavanaugh, 77, of 6 Spring Drive died Thursday, September 26th in the VNA Care Hospice Residence, Worcester after a short illness. He leaves his wife of 48 years, Elizabeth “Betty” A. (Mulvey) Cavanaugh; 3 sons, John M. Cavanaugh of Holden, James R. and Paul J. Cavanaugh both of Paxton; a daughter, Kathleen Korycki of Worcester; a brother, Thomas R. Cavanaugh of Worcester; a grandson, Neil P. Korycki of Worcester; several nephews and nieces. A brother, William F. Cavanaugh and 2 sisters, Virginia Dolan and Ann G. Graham predeceased him.
He was born in Worcester the son of Roger P. and Mary H. (Carrigan) Cavanaugh and has lived in Paxton for many years. He graduated from Commerce High School and earned an associate degree from the New England Business School of Accounting. Mr. Cavanaugh was a WWII Navy veteran serving as a radioman in the Normandy Invasion and the Pacific Theater. He worked for 31 years as a firefighter for the city of Worcester. He obtained lieutenant status in March of 1959 and captain status in September of 1962. He retired in 1978. He was a member of the VFW Cherry Valley Legion Post #443, a member of St. Columba Church and it’s St. Vincent Du Paul Society and a former member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a Christian doctrine teacher for the youth at St. Columba Church. He loved carpentry and enjoyed swimming and the ocean.
The funeral will be Monday, September 30th from O’Connor Brothers Funeral Home, 592 Park Avenue, Worcester with a Mass at 10:30 AM in St. Columba’s Church, 18 Richards Avenue, Paxton. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester. Calling hours are Sunday, September 29th from 3:00 until 6:00 PM in the funeral home. Flowers may be sent or memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, Massachusetts, 01701-4688.