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John Kavanaugh Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for John Kavanaugh
Sponsored by Joe Hanon, his onetime student..
VERNON BAUER
November 3, 2014
SOMETHING TONITE TOLD ME TO SEARCH JOHN KAVANAUGH. I KNEW HIM AND HIS BROTHER TOM.
LOVED TO LISTEN TO JOHN FOLEY AND JOHN KAVANAUGH PLAY GUITARS AND SING. I CAN STILL HEAR THEIR BEAUTIFUL MUSIC TOGETHER.
THIS WAS IN THE LATE SIXTIES. I WILL PRAY FOR HIS SURVIVING FAMILY TONITE.
I WAS PRIVILEGED TO HAVE KNOWN THE KAVANAUGH FAMILY AND JOHN.
VERNON G. (SKIP) BAUER
Walter Mattingly
November 16, 2012
I had the good fortune to meet with Fr Kavanaugh only once, and that for but an hour. It was a good hour. It didn't take long to experience his impact. Subsequently I read Who Counts as Persons and also his articles in America. His is a presence I will miss but yet remains.
November 13, 2012
Fr. John Kavanaugh was such an inspiration for me over the years. Whenever he would give a talk or a homily, he spoke with such truthfulness and compassion, that many times just the manner in which he spoke would bring me to tears. I used to love to read his columns in the St. Louis Review and have saved so many of them over the years. He baptized 2 of my children, took the time to mail me an encouraging word or two from time to time, and once told me, "Patti, make sure you teach your children respect - respect and love for everybody," and to this day I continue to teach them and other children that message.
I've always thought that if Jesus were walking the earth today He'd look and act like Fr. John Kavanaugh. He may not like me comparing him to Jesus, but it's true, for me anyway. I feel fairly confident that he's with Jesus right now, basking in the mercy, warmth, and love of his Savior. God bless you John. My sympathies go out to his brother, Tom and his family.
Peace,
Patti Hovis, St. Louis
Kevin Whelan
November 12, 2012
I knew John when he was a Scholastic teaching philosophy at Rockhurst College in the 1960's. We became good friends. We played guitar, tennis, and were in a movie together along with my girl friend, now wife, Max. John sang at our wedding in the chapel in Conway Hall on the Rockhurst College campus in 1968. Max and I attended his ordination in 1971. We visited with John and shared emails over the years. In 2010 Max and I visited with John during a family reunion in St. Louis. He took us to breakfast at the Jesuit Residence and gave us a tour. John was my favorite teacher in college. His classes were formative to my life and thinking. It was a joy to know him. I can still hear him saying, "gads!" There are songs in my memory that he sang, some at our wedding, that I will always carry in my mind and heart, and hear them: "Time is too slow for those who wait. Time is too swift for those who fear. Time is too long for those who mourn, too short for those who rejoice. But for those who love, time is eternity." and "May the God of Israel join you together and may he always be with you." and "To you I lift up my soul, oh Lord. In you, oh my God, I trust." John is a beautiful person. Max and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones. We look forward to seeing John in the next life. Peace and love. Kev and Max Whelan
Thomas Fasl
November 12, 2012
When I firs met Fr Kavanaugh he was Mr. Kavanaugh, working toward his ordination and teaching Philosophy at Rockhurst College in Kansas City Missouri. I still have his text book in my library and recall his dignity and warmth in his classes. He was the musician at our College Mass each Saturday.He may be the most influential instructor I had in my years at Rockhurst. God Bless!!
Janelle Woody
November 11, 2012
I didn't know Father Kavanaugh personally but only thru his columns, in The Sunday Website At SLU. I saved his column for last it was like dessert. He challenged me,made my hair stand up occasionally and has helped on my faith journey. I can only imagine the loss everyone is feeling with his passing. Thanks Father John for your gifts.
Rev. Dan Pisano
November 10, 2012
As a former Alexian Brother, I sat with John over coffee, conversation and liturgy. His death is a profound ending for a wonderful man who had a storied and grand life. May he rest in the loving arms of his tender God.
Gene Roman
November 9, 2012
John belonged to a group of priests I liked to call the "Jewish Jesuits."
They practiced tikum olam, told a good joke and revered folks like Martin Luther King and Abraham Heschel.
John was a mensch.
November 9, 2012
The finest teacher I have ever had.
An even finer man and brother priest.
He will be missed by so many whose lives he touched.
I will offer a Mass for him in the next couple of weeks.
Be assured of my prayers,
Rev. Christopher J. Dunlap
Carol Wright
November 9, 2012
I'll never forget when he came to my Nana's wake - his presence just filled the room; a wonderful man and a blessing to have known him
Jeannette Cooperman
November 9, 2012
I've known no finer man. As a teacher, he changed how I saw the world. Ever since, whenever I've had a tough story to write about some tangled, murky social issue, I've gone to him knowing I could count on an intelligent, thoughtful, compassionate response. He was wise, always--and funny, and deeply human. What a tearing loss.
Gina Lee Borchert
November 8, 2012
A truly wonderful man who made a difference while here on earth.
November 8, 2012
Jack Madigan, Osage Beach, Mo.
Ellen Ranney
November 8, 2012
My favorite professor, who taught me about the potential of all of humanity. He baptized my children and prayed for me when I had cancer. An inspiring social activist and a beautiful voice in this world. RIP
Connie Robinette
November 7, 2012
John Kavanaugh was a great source of inspiration to me. I first met him at St. Louis University where I was a student. The community will sorely miss his presence. He was a great teacher and kind soul.
November 7, 2012
Tom,
You do not know how much your family has been in my mind of late. And you may not even remember us, but as children, you and John along with your parents would come to visit our family in Ferguson at least once a month. Your father and my father came over from Ireland together, and stayed friends for years.
Being a grad student at St. Louis U, I still get the Universitas magazine in Akron where I have lived for the past 30 years. When there was an article about John, I would send it back to my sister, Jeannine Brady Bentrup, who still lives in St. Louis.
I returned to St. Louis this past summer, and told my sister that if we had some time in my week there, we would call John and see if we could get in a visit with him. Alas, the week flew by, and no visit. I was so sorry not to see him and get news about Kathleen; the last I heard of her was that she was very ill. I am so sorry to hear about her as well as your brother John.
My sympathy to you and the rest of the family,
Kathleen Brady Andria
daughter of Martin and Kathryn Brady
November 7, 2012
Our condolences to you guys. Jack and Ann Buckley
November 7, 2012
Our love and prayers are with you.
Love always,
The Konrad family (Mary Colleen, Nathan, Scott, Crystal, and Landon
Amy Prudhomme (formerly Connors)
November 7, 2012
Dear Tom, Maureen and Family,
I am so very sorry to hear about John's passing. I had just recently heard he was sick from friends in St. Louis, and had been praying for him and all of you. I consider John a good friend even though I have lived in New Orleans the past 14 years, and had not been in close touch.
John had a profound influence on my adult faith development both in Mark's Community, a small faith sharing group whose members were classmates of John at St. Louis Un. High School, and as my philosophy professor when I went to SLU for higher degree. I will definitely miss his columns in America Magazine.
I consider John to be one of the most significant people in my life, which I am sure you are going to hear from so many people who were fortunate to know him. He was truly a holy man, a saint in our midst, and a great blessing to so many.
God bless you all as you mourn his death. I am mourning his death with you. Even though I believe his reward in heaven is great, I know he will be sorely missed here on earth. I will miss him. Love and peace,
Laura Geigle
November 7, 2012
Father KAVANAUGH,TOUCH MY HEART
Mary Schmelter
November 7, 2012
I've worked at SLU for 27 years; earned 2 degrees while working here. One of the first classes I took was with Father Kavanaugh and he had us captivated from day 1!! What a good, holy, gift of a human being. His impact will live long at SLU and his presence will be missed forever. My prayers are with you.
November 7, 2012
Dear Tom, Maureen, Johnny, Tommy and Julie
I am so sorry to learn of Fr Kavanaugh's death. I know he was very sick, but I know death is so permanent.
Julie Tecu
November 7, 2012
Dear Maureen and Tom,
I am sorry to hear of your loss.
Mary Lee Dooling
Stacy Brenner
November 7, 2012
Dear Tom: I am so sorry for the loss of your brother John. He was such a great man to so many people. I am sure you have wonderful memories to help you heal and smile. Thinking of you and Maureen.
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