Tom Cavanaugh

 

Thomas Joseph Cavanaugh, age 69 years of Niles, Michigan; husband, father, grandfather, brother, computer programmer, traveler, and Pittsburgh Steelers fan, died peacefully at 5:25 p.m. on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at his home with his wife at his side, following an extended illness.  His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice at Home.

He was born on February 7, 1954 in Shamokin, Pennsylvania to James J. and Mary E. (Smith) Cavanaugh, and was graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Shamokin.  He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served as a computer programmer and operator.  The remarkable manner in which he fulfilled his mission earned two Meritorious Masts.  He advanced to Sergeant, and was honorably discharged following four years of duty.

Tom was a highly skilled programmer, specializing in large mainframe installations for financial institutions, and was employed for most of his career at Citigroup’s former South Bend location.  When not at work, he enjoyed fishing on the Saint Joseph River and Lake Michigan, and travelling to visit family in Pennsylvania and Portland, Oregon.  He and his wife had completed cruises to Hawaii, Florida, and throughout the Caribbean including return trips to Puerto Rico.

He has been a lifelong fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team.

On December 6, 1986 in Kalamazoo, Michigan he married the former Mary Jo Charlton with whom he celebrated the thirty-sixth anniversary of their wedding.  He was sadly preceded in death by his son, Jason Cavanaugh who died tragically in a motor vehicle accident on July 6, 2009.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, and by his siblings, James Cavanaugh, Joseph Cavanaugh, Cheryl Dormer, and Dennis Cavanaugh.

Surviving family includes his wife, Mary Cavanaugh, his son, Robert Cavanaugh of Beaverton, Oregon; Jason’s wife, Kristina Cavanaugh of Elizabeth, Pennsylvania; grandchildren Cody James Cavanaugh and Sydney Marie Cavanaugh; Tom’s siblings, Francis (& Marilyn) Cavanaugh of Dauphin, Pennsylvania, and Linda (& David) Klinger of Danville, Pennsylvania; siblings-in-law, Sue (Mrs. James) Cavanaugh of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Janice (Mrs. Joseph) Cavanaugh of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, David Dormer of Locust Gap, Pennsylvania, and Patrice (Mrs. Dennis) Cavanaugh of Shamokin; and many nieces and nephews.

The family of Tom Cavanaugh will gather privately at his grave in Mount Ever Rest Memorial Park South in Kalamazoo for the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard.

Contributions in memory of Tom may be made to Caring Circle Hospice at Home; 4025 Health Park Lane, Saint Joseph, Michigan, 49085; https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/hanson-hospice-center/giving/how-you-can-help.  Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Tom clearly enjoyed life and used his life well, serving a full term with the Marine Corps, completing a long career with one employer, and maintaining his allegiance to the Steelers.  But more important were the people in his life, and as his illness was overtaking his life, he was able to choose to be in the comfort of his home . . . with Mary.