Michael A. Cavanaugh Jr

Michael A. Cavanaugh, Jr. died peacefully at his son's home on January 7, 2020 in Philadelphia PA at the age of 82. Mike is survived by his wife Susan Kovacs of Bethlehem PA; his 3 children, Michael A. Cavanaugh (Tammie) of San Antonio TX; Marianna Bloom (Gary) of Bordentown NJ; Mark Cavanaugh (Jennifer) of Philadelphia PA; brother Ronald (Kathy) Cavanaugh of Sewell NJ; 3 grandchildren Mark, Shannon and Michael and 1 great grandchild Henry. He is preceded in death by wife Marianne Cavanaugh, sister Carolyn "Sue" Ehresmann and parents Michael and Lillian (Lindsey) Cavanaugh of Philadelphia. Mike was born on May 26, 1937 in Mahonoy City PA to Michael and Lillian Cavanaugh. He entered the army in August 1956. He was most proud of being in the 101st Airborne Division. This pride never wavered. He was honorably discharged in 1959. He entered the Philadelphia Police Department in 1960 and retired in 1983 after 23 years as a Lieutenant. He then went to work at the Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, in security. He then went to work for the State of NJ in the Victims of Crime Compensation Board. Mike Cavanaugh is a founding member of the Old Baldy Civil War Round Table, serving over the years as treasurer, program chairman, and twice president. His interest in the Civil War began in the early 1970s, when he found he had several ancestors in the war. Mike has authored and coauthored five books on the war and also founded the Civil War Book Exchange (now Civil War News). A long time volunteer at the Civil War Library and Museum, Mike served as Vice President of the Board of Governors for a time and also served as treasurer of the committee to erect a statue of General John Gibbon at Gettysburg in July 1988, the 125th anniversary of the battle. Mike shared his round table time with the CWRT of Eastern PA in Allentown of which he was the program director. He felt the most important duty of a Civil War round table is to support battlefield and historical preservation. In January of 2015, Old Baldy Civil War Round Table honored Mike by establishing the Michael A. Cavanaugh Book Award for an outstanding recent book for younger readers concerning important people or events of the Civil War Era. Through his life he has met some really wonderful people, too many to name. But he loved to spend time at lectures and battlefields and the occasional pub where his friends would join him for a pint. This amazing man found time for family and friends alike. He was affectionately known as "Chief" by his children and grandchildren. A gathering of friends and family will be held on Saturday, February 8th from 10:00am to 10:30am at Givnish Funeral Home, 1200 US-130, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077, and a memorial service beginning at 10:30am. Burial to follow at Lakeview Memorial Cemetery. I lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Michael A. Cavanaugh, Jr. to the American Battlefield Trust, Wounded Warrior Project or USO (United Service Organization).

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Michael A. Cavanaugh Jr

May 26, 1937 - January 7, 2020