Thomas William Kavanagh's Obituary
Thomas William Kavanagh, 88, passed away peacefully at his home in Memphis, Tennessee, surrounded by his family. Tom was born in Wheaton, Illinois, to Thomas and Rose Kavanagh, on May 14, 1928, and shared this birthday for 52 years with his oldest daughter. Tom graduated from Marmion Military Academy and North Central College. On September 21, 1957, this “gentle giant” married the former Ann-Marie Hattan, and remained her beloved husband for almost 60 years. He moved to Memphis as a young man, and truly loved his lifelong relationships with dear friends and wonderful neighbors in the city. He wholeheartedly embraced the University of Memphis Tigers as his adopted “home team” and cheered them from the sidelines and armchair throughout his life.Tom was an active member of St. Louis Catholic Church, singing in the church choir until his retirement. He never passed up a chance to sing “Old Man River” and passed on his love for singing and his beautiful solo voice to two of his grandsons, who are both vocal performers. Tom enjoyed the world of business, and had his own Manufacturers’ Representative business for many years. He served as a key advisor for his wife’s business, Ann-Marie Inc., and inspired his daughters who each have owned their own business. Tom shared his business savvy with the community by advising new business owners as chairman of the Memphis chapter of Service Corps of Retired Executives.Tom was immensely proud of his family. He is survived by his loving wife and constant companion, Ann; by his three daughters, Mary Kavanagh Day, Therese Kavanagh Despeaux, and Colleen Puknys Kavanagh; and by nine grandchildren who filled his life with love and noise. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Jefferson and Rose Marie Kavanagh, and his sister, Rosemary Kern.Tom’s funeral mass will be held at St. Louis Catholic Church on Monday, October 10, at 10:00 am, with visitation during the hour before mass. Memorials may be made to the Monsignor Paul W. Clunan Endowment Fund at St. Louis Catholic Church.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis TN 38119. (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life….Behind the Stone Wall”
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