Joseph T. Cavanagh

Joseph Thomas Cavanagh passed peacefully at Carney Hospital on March 3, 2017 after a brief illness.

He was the loving husband of the late Dorothy Downey Cavanagh, son of the late Joseph F. and D. Laura (Braese) Cavanagh and brother of the late Richard E. Cavanagh.

Born in  Boston, Joseph was a graduate of Boston Technical High School and Boston State Teachers College.  He also served in the United States Army, posted in Korea. He and his wife moved to Quincy following his discharge from the Army where they lived for the rest of their lives. After teaching for a short time, Joe worked for most of his life in the food service industry, primarily as a chef for the City of Boston Hospital system. He was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Quincy, and served as an usher there for many years. He enjoyed working with his hands, and became fascinated with model trains, building many from kits and constructing many by hand. He had an elaborate railroad system in his home for many years. He also enjoyed music, particularly high-end sound equipment which he was able to access throughout his house. Joe was a whiz at anything technical or mechanical, often helping friends and neighbors with various problems. He was active in the Merrymount Beach Association and spent many an hour repairing and doing other work to make sure the “Canteen” at the beach was running smoothly. He also served as a mentor to several, including Corey Grier. As Joe helped others, others helped him. Kathy Houten and Jimmy Wiedemann were very close friends of Joe and helped him at every corner of his life.

Joseph is survived by his sister-in-law, Nancy Cavanagh of Abington, two nephews: Stephen Cavanagh of Westford,MA and Paul Cavanagh of Cumberland, Rhode Island; two nieces: Martha Lockhart of Warner Robins, Georgia and Laura Downey of Old Town, Florida, together with several grandnieces and grandnephews. He is also survived by his very special friend of many years, Lorraine M. Grier of Hull, formerly of Quincy.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Tuesday 4-8 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9:15 AM on Wednesday prior to the Funeral Mass in Holy Trinity Parish at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Quincy at 10 AM. Burial in Pine Hill Cemetery, Quincy.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Cavanagh Family Scholarship Fund, c/o Stonehill College, 320 Washington Street, Easton, MA 02357-6242.