Jack (John) Thomas Kavanagh

12/29/1936 – 5/25/2024

John Thomas Kavanagh, Jack to all who knew and loved him, and there were many died on May 25, 2024. He is survived by his devoted wife of 33 years, Barbara Baroff Kavanagh, Anna, Anton & Fanny Hedlund, Debra, David, Evelyn & Jonah Beadle, and Lisa Feinstein.

He was also a brave myeloma cancer survivor for 33 years and Co-Founder of the cancer charity, Arizona Myeloma Network and Cancer Caregivers of America from 2004 to the present. He died suddenly from a cranial hemorrhage.

He was born on December 29, 1936, in Waterbury, Connecticut. The son of Irish Immigrants, John Kavanagh and Margaret Berry Kavanagh. He was the oldest of three children, Margaret and Josephine, who preceded him in death. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School with honors, and ‘Most Popular’; he also participated in sports-his favorites were baseball and swimming, both of which remained a big part of his life until his death. He was top of his class in Math, a member of the Physics Club, the Yearbook and Prom Committee. He always knew he wanted to be a Civil Engineer, and followed his dream at University of Connecticut where he received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and then received a Graduate Degree from Harvard University in Administration and Management. Among his Professional Affiliations were Chairman of the National Constructors Association, visiting faculty at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the graduate school of civil engineering, and Chairman of the Education Committee, and New England Construction Council. He published numerous articles including: ‘Healthcare Reform’ and ‘Hospital Construction’, Construction Business Review, ‘Keeping Construction Under Cover’, and World Construction Magazine.

He loved teaching and learning and continued these activities even after his retirement to Arizona in 2002.

Jack also was a Proud Patriot and served in the U.S. Army from 1958-1962 both Active Duty and the Reserves and was Honorably Discharged in 1965 as an SP/4PFC.

His career with both Bechtel International and Raytheon Corporation brought him to many countries including the Caribbean, South Africa, Libya and Thailand. He returned to Boston in 1982 where he met and married Barbara. Following their marriage in 1991, they lived and worked in Holland, England, Ireland, Germany and Turkey. He was laid to rest at Mt. Sinai Cemetery in California on June 7, 2024.

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