DR. MICHAEL J. CAVANAGH

CAVANAGH, DR. MICHAEL J.Dr. Michael J. Cavanagh, 82, of Nanuet, NY died on Thursday March 31, after a long battle with lymphoma. Dr. Cavanagh was the first Board Certified Surgeon to practice in Rockland County (Diplomate American Board of Surgery), and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He arrived at Good Samaritan Hospital in 1955 after leaving his position as Assistant Professor of Surgery at Long Island College of Medicine (now Downstate Medical Center.) At Good Samaritan, Dr. Cavanagh was Chief of Surgery and held the Office of President of the Medical Staff, served on the Medical Executive Committee, served two terms on the Board of Trustees, participated in the Planning Committee, and held numerous hospital and community positions during his 30 year career. In 1989 he was awarded the Sister Joseph Rita Award for Medical Excellence. In 1990, the Town of Ramapo Police awarded Dr. Cavanagh its Civilian Service Award "for his quick response while disregarding his own personal safety (as) he pulled an unconscious female from a burning vehicle." Dr. Cavanagh was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Fordham University and Long Island College of Medicine (SUNY Downstate). Dr. Cavanagh served as a Private in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II where his duty assignment was to attend Medical School. During the Korean War he returned to duty as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force and served as Chief of Surgery at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. Dr. Cavanagh is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary and by three sons: Michael F. of Alexandria, VA and his wife Marie and their two children Alexi and Emily; William J. of Suffern, NY and his wife Lauren and their children Samantha and Michael; Dr. Edward F. of Los Angeles, CA and his wife Annie and her children Shana and Andrew and a great grandson Grant. Dr. Cavanagh's Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 4, 2005 at 10:00 am at St. Anthony's Church in Nanuet, NY. The interment will follow in the family plot in St. Anthony's Cemetery. The family will be present to receive friends on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at The Wanamaker & Carlough Funeral Home, 177 Route 59, Suffern. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation, 155 Lafayette Avenue, Suffern, NY 10901. "To Sign Dr. Cavanagh's Guest Book or For Directions Visit wanamakercarlough.com."