William J. “Bill” Kavanagh Jr. of Westford, MA

1928 - 2016

Visitation

July 10, 2016
3:00PM - 7:00PM
St. Catherine of Alexandria Church, 107 N Main Street, Westford, MA

Funeral

July 11, 2016
10:00 AM Mass
St. Catherine of Alexandria Church, 107 N Main Street, Westford, MA

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William J. “Bill” Kavanagh Jr, passed away at his home in Westford, MA on July 6, 2016, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Joan (McGlinchey) Kavanagh; his four children, William Kavanagh III (Linda) Porto of New York City, Kathryn Kavanagh (Robert) Jenney of Wellesley, Caroline Kavanagh of Westford, Suzanne Kavanagh (John) Pawlak of Andover, and his granddaughter, Sarah Kavanagh of Seattle, WA.

Additionally, he is survived by his siblings, Bernard Kavanagh (Antoinette Kavanagh) of Naples, Florida, Margaret (Kavanagh) Donahue of Westford, whose husband Edward passed away in 2013, Brian Kavanagh (Liz Kavanagh) of Hampton, New Hampshire, and sister-in-law, Christine Kavanagh, whose husband, John Kavanagh passed away in 2015.

Bill was a lifelong resident of Westford and also served in the US Army, tour of duty in Japan, post WWII. He exemplified the successful professional; he was an active community builder and a loving and engaging family man who valued his faith.   Born in Westford of the late William J. Kavanagh and Marie W. (Hines) Kavanagh, he graduated from Westford Academy and Bentley College.

After serving clients as a Certified Public Accountant, he built a long career at New England Medical Center. Eventually, as Vice President of Tufts NE Medical Center Foundation, Inc. (TMCA), he helped build an entity to represent the interests of Tufts’ medical staff; empowering Tufts doctors through the 1980’s by helping the hospital’s physicians allocate research funding and insure the medical staff at a time of escalating insurance costs in the private market.  He was a Fellow Massachusetts Society of CPA’s; he served on the faculty of Tufts University; director of NEMCH Credit Union.

As an engaged citizen of the Town of Westford, Bill dedicated much of his free time serving in both volunteer and elected capacities. He was first a member, then later Chairman of Westford’s Town Finance Committee.  Subsequently, he was elected to the position of Moderator of Westford’s Town Meeting, in which he served for eighteen years.  As Moderator, he was known for wielding a brisk and often humorous gavel, keeping business running with neighborly comity.  He also sat as Westford’s representative on the Lowell Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board for sixteen years and served on the Westford Academy Board of Trustees.

Bill and Joan’s marriage served as a role model of teamwork and has been an inspiration for their children, nieces and nephews. Together in their thirties, they were active in the Westford Singles and Doubles Club.  In 1970, they successfully managed Congressman Fr. Robert Drinan’s campaign in Westford.  In his retirement years, Bill supported Joan in establishing a specialty toy shop in town, Teaching Toys.  This became an oasis of learning and fun for parents and children in the area for 18 years.   In 1992, Bill was honored by the Kiwanis, as “Westford Outstanding Person of the Year.”

Bill loved his family, the town’s Forge Village streets, where he grew up, fly-fishing in Maine and Canada, ocean activities, and watching the sunset from his deck on Depot Street.

Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, July 11, 2016 at Saint Catherine of Alexandria Church, 107 N Main Street, Westford, MA; Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, July 10th also at Saint Catherine Church from 3-7pm. Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury.  For online condolences, please refer to guestbook at dolanfuneralhome.com.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Westford Ambulance Fund (PO Box 197, Westford, MA 01886) or to Saint Catherine of Alexandria Church.

16 Condolences for William J. “Bill” Kavanagh Jr. of Westford, MA

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    John & Kim Duffy

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    Suzanne, Caroline and the Kavanagh Family,
    Our deepest condolences and prayers to you during this difficult time.

  • Avatar

    Karen Quares

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    The Kavanagh Family,

    My condolences are with you are your family at this difficult time.

  • Avatar

    Mario & Wendy Borges

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    Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

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    Lisa Gennell

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    I am so sorry Aunt Joan, Bill, Kathy, Caroline, and Suzanne. Uncle Bill was such a special guy. I loved his smile and the twinkle in his eye. I have fond memories of growing up with him and your family. My prayers are with you all.

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    Diana Sherlock

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    Suzanne, please accept my most sincere condolences. You and your family are in my prayers during these difficult times.

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    Agnes Sarno

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    Dear Joan,

    Sorry for your loss. It has been many years since I saw you and Bill, but have wonderful memories when I worked for Bill at Tufts New England Medical Center for many years. He was a great guy and I had great respect for him. I loved it also when you use to come in town so that we have some time together. I am not surprised that you had such a great marriage. I knew from the beginning what a great couple you were and what a great family you had.
    God Bless you Joan and my prayers are with you and the children.

    Sincerely,
    Aggie Sarno

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    Debbi and Alan Hope

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    Suzanne and family –
    Our deepest sympathy to you. Bill led a full life with many interests and he touched many people.
    Take care…..

  • Avatar

    Mike Harlow

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    I’m so very sorry for your loss.
    My condolences to all of William’s family and friends.
    Rest In Peace, William.

  • Avatar

    Saj & Courtney Samuel

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    Kathy and family,
    Our hearts and prayers are with you all during this time. Wishing you peace and comfort in the memory of your dad and a life well lived.

  • Avatar

    Lynne Dunaj

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    Joan, Please accept my sincere condolences. You and you family are in my thoughts and prayers. Bill was a great guy. I enjoyed working for him in Westford and TT. God bless.

  • Avatar

    Bill Brown

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    Dear Suzanne,

    I am sorry to hear of the passing of your father. May the good times that you shared carry you through this difficult time.

    Sincerely;

    Bill Brown
    Philips Quality

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    Kristen Deng

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    Suzanne,

    I am so sorry for your lost. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  • Avatar

    Wendy Gulla

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    To the Kavanagh Family,
    I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m a parishioner
    at St. Catherine’s & Bill always greeted me with a hug & a kiss! Such a sweet man whom I’ll miss. May he rest in peace. I’ll keep all of you in my prayers.

  • Avatar

    Patricia Gheys

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    Dear Suzanne, i am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family during this very difficult time.

  • Avatar

    Refugio

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  • Avatar

    Susie

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    Hello… I’m wondering if Bill Kavanagh may have been stationed at Jefferson Barracks Missouri during WWII? If so, I have a photo of my own deceased father’s training group there that I believe he may be pictured in. If you can access my email address via this message, please contact me and I will share the photo with you.

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