1943-2017
Donald “The Don” Kavanagh
1943-2017
Don passed away at Lions Gate Hospital after fighting a
courageous battle with a terminal disease, just 2 days shy of his 74th
birthday.
Born in Grand Falls, N.B. he was the
11th child of the late Roy and Monica (Rideout) Kavanaugh in a family
of 11 boys and one girl.
After graduating from
Grand Falls Composite High School, where he was President off his
class, Don attended Loyola College in Montreal (now Concordia
University) where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major
in Political Science. He then went on to study interior design and
architecture at Parsons School of Design in New York City.
Don’s first job in the design field was in Toronto
but he soon got itchy feet and hence moved to the west coast.
Initially he taught design courses at Douglas College in New
Westminster. Within a couple of years, he had hung his own shingle
and, in addition to teaching, was involved with design projects
through his own company. His many projects over the years included
renovating and restoring private homes, dental offices, funeral homes
and even did extensive work on several heritage properties. He also
designed and had homes built in his home town back in N.B. but his
favourite projects were those he worked on in Palm Springs, San Diego
and Salt Lake City.
For 2 years, Don served
as President of the Interior Design Association of Canada. Don, again
in true Irish tradition, was a very devout Catholic and for years was
an active member of St. Pius X Parish in North Vancouver. In
recognition of his many significant contributions to the Catholic
Community, Don was knighted into the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, a
Roman Catholic order of Knighthood under the protection of the Holy
See in Rome.
His greatest passion in life was
in helping the youth. To that end, he joined the Vancouver Rotary Club
and eventually became in charge of the Youth Exchange Program. In this
capacity, he provided counsel and advise to the exchange students
during their year in Vancouver. Even to this day, many of these
students have maintained contact with Don and were a tremendous
support for him during his terminal illness.
In
recognition of his contribution to various Rotary programs over the
years, Don was the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award on 3
separate occasions. This award acknowledges individuals who have made
outstanding contributions to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary
International.
Don is survived by his sister
Gladys Gorey, brothers Clarence (Laurencia), Earl (Joan), Tom
(Denise), Al (Corinne), Kevin (Betty); sisters-in-law Katherine,
Madeleine, Joyce; many nieces and nephews and cousins. Predeceased by
brothers Francis, LeRoy, Cyril (Cy), Hubert (Bud) and John;
sisters-in-law Thelma and Bernadette and brother-in-law Louis
Gorey.
Family and friends wish to extend their
gratitude to caring individuals of the Lions Gate Hospital Palliative
Care Unit. Don’s immediate family wish to express profound
thanks to Don’s many, many loyal friends who were such an
integral part of his life, especially during the past year and a half.
Their many acts of friendship & kindness are so much
appreciated. As Don would say: “you will receive your reward in
your next life”.
A Celebration of Life service was held in Vancouver on August
23rd.
The family will be receiving relatives and friends at
O’Regan’s Funeral Home, 515 Everard Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls, New
Brunswick on Wednesday, October
18th from noon until 2 p.m., followed by
Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m. from the Assumption Roman Catholic
Church, Grand Falls, NB. Interment will be in the parish
cemetery following the service.
www.oregans.ca

Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Donald The Don Kavanagh – 1943-2017.source

Death notice for the town of: Grand-Falls, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick

death notice Donald The Don Kavanagh – 1943-2017- mortuary notice Donald The Don Kavanagh – 1943-2017