William (Bill) Joseph Cavanagh Resident of Santa Cruz 86, died peacefully at home in Santa Cruz on October 27th 2012. He was surrounded by his children. Born in Boston on January 9, 1926, his family moved to Detroit when he was 10 years old. After Serving in the Navy in WWII, he married Ilene Ruth Hering. They had four children; Regina, Mike, Terry, and Christine. His parents were William J. Sr. and Charlotte Cavanagh. Working successfully in Detroit Real Estate for 35 years as a broker, he managed 120 agents at Alger F Quast Realty. He also worked at a Ford auto assembly plant, in the insurance industry and his first job was as a pin-setter at the oldest bowling alley in North America. He loved animals and people and read a great deal. After high school he was self-educated and he stayed current with political affairs and social events. He was skillful with people and almost all who knew him felt honored and appreciated in his presence. He is remembered by friends as a light-hearted gentleman and by his family as a loving father and caring adult. He retired to Santa Cruz in 1994 and lived with his son Terry on the west side for 18 years. In Santa Cruz he volunteered at the Triangle Speakers, as an accepting and loving father of a gay son. His children felt he taught them to always stand up and speak out for your beliefs and to support the disenfranchised. He was a man of deep ethical beliefs and acts. He is survived by his four children, his sister, Mary Helen Humm of Florida, nieces and nephews, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. A life celebration will occur Saturday November 24th at 2:00PM at Pacific Cultural Center on the corner of Seabright and Broadway, Santa Cruz. In lieu of flowers contributions to the SPCA or the Triangle Speakers are encouraged.
Published in Santa Cruz Sentinel on November 4, 2012
