Charles J. “Mike” Cavanaugh (1934-2023)

Charles J. “Mike” Cavanaugh, 88, of Southport, NC passed peacefully Saturday, May 20, 2023.

He was born in Long Lake, New York, December 22, 1934, the son of Charles J. and Mary Frances (LeBlanc) Cavanaugh.  He grew up in Queens, New York.  He attended Manhattan College and upon graduation served in the United States Air Force.  Mike was employed at Travelers Insurance Company for 30 years where he was an Educator in Human Resources. 

Mike and Gaye raised their family in Connecticut.  He enjoyed photography and capturing memories of vacations, school concerts, celebrations, and group “diving board” pictures.    Mike had many passions.  He was an avid tennis player until the age of 85.  He was a sports car enthusiast, a keen Red Sox fan, and a lover of music, ranging from Big Band to Broadway to The Beach Boys.  He enthusiastically shared his interests with his friends and family.

Mike will be remembered as a good man.  Loyal, kind, wise and supportive.  He was very interested in what made others “tick”.   He found meaning in helping young adults discover their strengths and weaknesses and possible career paths.  He was a good conversationalist – the King of open-ended questions.  He was thought provoking, analytic and a superb listener.  He also possessed a dry, witty, self- depreciating humor with what we lovingly deemed a New York sensibility.  He affectionately teased any and all.  If you were lucky, you earned the endearing nickname, “kid”.

 Mike is survived by his wife of 66 years, Gaye; two children, William and his wife Donna of Leland, Laura and her husband, Neal Montany of Southport; 5 grandchildren and their spouses, Bryan, Alexandra (Jason Majewski), Sarah (Bryan Leong), Brianna (Brandon Jones), and Kara; 8 great grandchildren, Liam, Declan, Brynn Majewski, Colin, and Teagan Leong, Will, Nicole, and Jack Jones; and extended family throughout the U.S.

 Mike was predeceased by his son, Bobby. 

The family expresses the deepest appreciation for Mike’s caregivers who provided tender compassion, and the incredible staff at SECU Hospice House of Brunswick. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike’s memory may be directed to SECU Hospice House of Brunswick – Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 955 Mercy Ln, SE, Bolivia, NC 28422, or The Coastal B.U.D.S of Southeastern NC, 20 N.4^th Street, Suite 205, Wilmington, NC 28401.  

Funeral services will be at St Phillips Episcopal Church in Southport on June 3, 2023 at 11:00 am.

Burial, at a later date, will be in his beloved state of CT.