Christopher Cavan Obituary

Name: Memorial service for Christopher Cavan
Start: 2024-01-04T20:30:00.000Z
Location: First Pres

Chris Cavan, 59, of Indian Head Park, IL passed away unexpectedly Dec. 5, 2023. Predeceased by his parents, he leaves behind many who loved him. Graduate of Lyons Township, Northwestern, and Loyola Law; National Merit Scholar, engineer, and accomplished patent attorney. Chris truly enjoyed life. All who knew him appreciated his wit and charisma. Avid angler and sports fan. Chris led LT to state hockey title before playing at NU. He stayed close with teammates and friends. Memorial service to be held at First Pres., 550 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn, IL, Jan. 4, at 2:30 pm. Reception following; details to come. In lieu of flowers, donations to Paws or another worthy charity are welcome.

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Published by Chicago Tribune on Dec. 13, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Christopher Cavan

11 Entries

Dan Sheridan

January 3, 2024

Jen, Rees, and Marc;
I am so sorry. Chris was a great guy. In the days since his passing, I have been thinking a lot about our time together on LT hockey. His contribution to our 1980 High School State Championship was immense in both obvious and subtle ways.

Chris was happy, funny, and so likable off the ice. I am grinning just thinking about him. On the ice he was not the biggest guy, but he had a swagger that he backed up with skills and work ethic. Chris and nine other sophomores on our Championship team! Only four seniors - me, Pat, Mike and Geoff. How does that happen in high school hockey, where the typical juggernauts have four lines of upperclassmen? We had contributions from everyone regardless of age, experience, or time-on-ice.

Chris played at an MVP level all season. Matched up against bigger opponents he just would not quit, and he found ways to protect the puck and put up points. And the rest of the younger guys fed off it. Contagious.

Not all of them had the same role on the team, but Steve Sheehan made them believe that their role was equally important. We don´t win the State Championship without Chris Cavan. And the rest of the younger guys believed we weren´t going to win without them. This was in no small part due to Chris´ example. Powerful stuff.

In the years since then I coached a lot of hockey here in Michigan, and I occasionally found myself thinking that we had a Chris Cavan on the squad! Always a good sign!

I wish I could make the service on Thursday, and give you all a hug. Please accept my apologies for missing it. Peace to you, and love from the Sheridans.

Rest in peace, Muff.

Dan

Michael Vlasich

January 2, 2024

Chris and I met through work friends and I had the privilege of knowing and to get to know him. Spent many days in Algoma fishing, puzzling and watching the tractor races. He was a brilliant attorney and great friend. You will be missed but never forgotten. RIP brother!!

Larry Zeno

December 30, 2023

Crafty,

My friend and former roommate, I will miss you man. We were roommates at NU and then again a few years later. Road tripping to watch NU hockey team play Marquette several times was a blast. And NU hockey returned the favor to NU rugby. I have fond memories of our friendship, at NU, in CA for a few months and then in Chicago. We had lifetime of fun. Too many times to recall. I can´t believe you´re gone brother. You will be missed.
Your friend.

Larry Zeno

Ab Igram

December 13, 2023

RIP Captain aka Crafty! Thanks for being there for us clueless ATO pledges and along the way on our journey. Awesome to see you at the NU games and tailgates when in town.

Love and condolences to your family my brother.

Much love,
Ab

Geoff Rhoads

December 13, 2023

Muff Muff Muff, dang, you left us way too early. Chris and I spent far more time on skates than walking from late November through late March, roughly 1969 through ~1975 or so. All thanks to his Dad Mike (and Mom Donna, siblings Jen and Marc too). The Glaciers, proud to be a Glacier, blades under your feet rather than rubber soles. Won the crown for Illinois in '80 just a month after Lake Placid US-USSR, our team was ranked 11th in the state going in to the tourney, so we felt a kinship being the underdog (Mt. Carmel, New Trier, Deerfield, the Titans to take on...). Then so cool to watch you further blossom at NU and join a new Hockey family.

John Blank

December 12, 2023

Crafty will always be Crafty and not Chris, a kind of true big brother to me. He was my linemate in college, and a life long fishing buddy. Truly the shining light. Chris, may you finally rest in peace. This picture, with a thumb's up, my friend. Thanks for the memories. Always. JB

Grace Gierczynska

December 12, 2023

I will always remember his voice and generosity, his warm look on his face and his gentle voice, his good hard and pleasant conversation about every subject, his lovely smile and tasty cooking, I will miss him very deeply as a good friendly person.

Ric Bachrach

December 12, 2023

Chris (a/k/a Crafty) was an exceptional person, a dedicated friend, a fun spirit and a very committed and talented hockey player. I had the privilege of coaching Crafty at Northwestern from 1982-86. He was keen to learn and had as much fun in practice as he did in our games. His teammates loved him; then and now. They loved his talent, his playfulness and his unwavering support for them. Crafty will be missed. May his memory forever be for a blessing for all who knew him.

Greg Odland

December 12, 2023

Known to his NU teammates as Crafty, Chris was the cornerstone of the `82-86 Cats. A super talented hockey player, and an all-around terrific guy on and off the ice. Smart, funny, and witty...yes! Chris was also thoughtful and caring-and "old soul" that we all loved. So happy we were able to reconnect at the team´s reunion this fall. You left too early bud.
-Greg Odland, NU `86

Laura Rhoads Harries

December 12, 2023

Chris was one of my oldest childhood friends. My first memories involved digging for 'treasures' in the woody patch behind the Cavan's house. We also learned how to skate together at the 'Home of the Glaciers' rink that Mr. Cavan would build every winter. Love you guys! So sorry for your loss.

Laura Rhoads Harries

Andrea O´Neill

December 12, 2023

So sorry to hear this news. Chris was one of my favorite people throughout middle school, high school, and as we both launched into adulthood. He was funny, smart and kind. I have so many memories in youth that we shared.

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