Thomas James Cavanaugh age 85 of St. Louis, Michigan died Sunday, December 9, 2007 at Gratiot Medical Center, Alma, Michigan.
The family welcomes you to attend either the Candlelight Visitation on Sunday, December 16, 2007 from 4-6 P.M. or the Funeral Services on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 1:15 PM at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis Chapel St. Louis, MI. Deacon John Cremin will officate, with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, St. Louis, MI.
Thomas was born in Mt. Pleasant, MI on December 12, 1921 to Peter and Therese ( Gepford ) Murphy. One of 6 children all orphaned, Tom was adopted at age 3 by Joseph and Adele Cavanaugh of St. Louis, where he lived since 1924. He graduated from St. Louis High School with the class of 1939. Thomas married Ellen Hagel on July 6, 1942 at Mt. St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Louis, MI. Thomas was a World War II Army Veteran with 4 years of service, coming home to St. Louis, MI in 1946 to raise a family. He was a postal carrier until 1956 when he began building homes in St. Louis. Thomas owned and operated Cavanaugh Construction until 1975. He then owned and operated American Apt. & Store Co. Inc. from which he retired. He also served as a member of the St. Louis City Planning Comission for 21 years. Thomas loved work, music, and travel. He was a member of the "McClub", having coffee with his friends. His life was one of caring, endurance, loyalty, and responsibility.
He is survived by wife of 65 years Ellen Cavanaugh of St. Louis, MI, 6 girls Sue Ellen Warren of Long Beach, CA, Alice Seebach of Glendale, CA, Margaret Lott of Midland, MI, Laura Jane Murphy of Merrill, MI, Sharon Cavanaugh of Midland, MI, Franci Saunders of Coleman, MI, 1 boy Tom Cavanaugh of Kalamazoo, MI, 11 grandchildren; Jennifer, Leah, Tyrone, Christina, Franci, Cameron Jill, Robert, Ted, Anathea, and Gabriel, 4 great grandchildren; Taylor, Cole, Raevy, and Evelyn, brother James J. Cavanaugh of Boulder, CO and sister Jean Rambo of Okemos, MI He is predeceased by the Murphy family and Cavanaugh parents.
Memorials may be made to Theodore Austin Cutler Memorial Library to be used for Alzheimera�(TM)s Materials as well as materials on buildings & construction.. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis Chapel, 117 North East Street, St. Louis, MI.
Read Thomas Cavanaugh's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Thomas James Cavanaugh