JAMES D. KAVANAGH
January 3, 1942 – April 13, 2024
James Donald Lloyd Kavanagh died in Newport, VT, Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 9:21pm surrounded by his family, whom he cherished above all. The life he and his wife Judy created had an amusing beginning when two kids bumped heads underwater going after the same white rock in Wallace Pond in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Friendship turned to courtship, and eventually a marriage of 61 years with four children, six grandchildren, two bonus grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Born in Lac Megantic, Quebec on January 3,1942, James (Jim) was the youngest of eight children born to Albert and Alice Kavanagh. Later the family moved to Beecher Falls, VT where Jim grew up and went to school. He was a standout athlete at Canaan Memorial High School, especially in basketball and was captain of the 1961 team that won both the league title and the Northeastern Conference Tournament
Jim was also an avid hockey player. He played on several teams in Eastern Quebec, and in the Boston area Northshore leagues. Berlin High School in New Hampshire, which was a feeder team for the Montreal Canadiens, tried to recruit him but he declined the offer as he did not want to be that far away from the love of his life Judy.
At the age of fifteen, Jim worked loading log trucks in Beecher Falls that fed various sawmills in the area. This was also the home of the first Ethan Allen furniture plant in the country. At the age of sixteen, he took a job as a tour guide for the factory as he was bilingual in both French and English. This job was a steppingstone to a second career as a manufacturer’s representative in later years.
After high school, Jim earned his degree from the New England School of Mortuary Science where he also served as class president. Jim began his 37-year career as a funeral director in Newport, VT with Rushford Funeral Home, followed by several years with Knight Funeral Home in Windsor, Vermont, and returning to Newport to become a partner in what eventually became Converse Rushford Funeral Home. To say he touched the lives of many is an understatement. He was honored to help families in their time of need, and he did it with great care and compassion. This included providing outstanding service to the people of St Johnsbury, VT during a time of crisis for which he earned an award from the State of Vermont. Jim worked for two years to pass a Vermont State law to protect consumers of funeral services from fraud and/or mismanagement of funds. Jim was also an active member and served as president of the Vermont State Funeral Board. And was appointed to the Vermont State Board of Funeral Service by Governor Madeline Kunin in 1989. Jim retired from the funeral business in 1997.
While in Windsor, Jim took a hiatus from being a funeral director and accepted a job with Hanson Tools as a manufacturer’s representative. He turned this into a second career and created The James D Kavanagh Company working with the Vermont Ethan Allen Furniture Division where he built strong relationships that lasted the rest of his life.
Jim especially enjoyed passing on his love of sports to another generation including coaching his sons Mike and Timmy’s Little League and hockey teams. In addition to being a Little League coach he served as commissioner and was instrumental in organizing the Newport Hockey program which became part of the Border Minor Hockey League. His teams achieved great successes and during their second year went on to win league and tournament championships with an undefeated record and made it to the second round of the Quebec provincial play-offs. He passed along his love of hockey to his children and grandchildren who, like him, have all been lifelong Montreal Canadiens fans (and naturally despise the Bruins). Go Habs Go!
Jim was involved in the local community as a member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree, and a lifelong member of the Elks Club. He was president of the St. Mary’s Cemetery Association and was inducted into and later ran the Orleans and Northern Essex Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also an integral part of organizing the first international swim of Lake Memphremagog and the International speed skating competition, both taking place in the 1980’s and drawing competitors from all over the world.
Even with active work and community commitments, Jim always carved out time for his family. Dinner was at 5:00pm sharp every day and everyone was there talking over the day, planning family vacations, and telling stories and jokes. Family vacations included trips to Maine, New York City, Florida, Aruba, and Ireland. But the favorite family trip was an annual summer vacation to Plum Island, Massachusetts where all would enjoy days on the beach, swimming in the ocean, fishing, shopping, and playing games. Jim and Judy also enjoyed many trips to the National Funeral Directors Conventions experiencing destinations such as Atlanta, Charleston, San Antonio, and Chicago. It was during the trip to Chicago that Jim checked off a bucket list item when he and Judy drove to South Bend, Indiana to attend a Notre Dame Football game. He was a huge fan of the “Fighting Irish” and exemplified the team motto of “Play Like A Champion Today” with his competitive nature.
In his younger years, his sisters affectionately named him Jimmy, a name that was used by those that knew him well and loved him dearly. Jimmy had a kind and generous heart and spirit. He was warm, genuine, and nurturing. He loved a good party and was an excellent host. Jimmy made friends wherever he went and welcomed everyone into his house and made them feel completely at home. He had the ability to connect with individuals of all ages and was eager to travel with friends and family and create memories.
Jim is survived by his wife of 61 years, Judy; their four children, Michael and wife Cynthia, Timmy and wife Candy, Andrea and husband Ewell, Katy and husband Martin; six grandchildren, Matthew Kavanagh and wife Kristen, Alex Kavanagh and wife Amanda, Sawyer Kavanagh and partner Quinn; Jack Kavanagh, and Kristopher and Elizabeth Smith; two bonus grandchildren, Danielle and Grant Thibault; and two great grandchildren Evy-Lou Kavanagh and Abraham Thibault. Jim is also survived by two sisters Noreen Legendre and Jean Rainville; brother and sister-in law, David and Patricia Nelson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is pre-deceased by his parents, Albert and Alice (McInerney) Kavanagh; sisters Margaret, Patricia, Elizabeth, and Kathleen; brother John-Havey; and his in-laws Arthur and Catherine Nelson.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newport on Friday, April 19th at 11am. A reception will follow at the Eastside Restaurant in Newport for family and friends to gather and share stories.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim’s memory to North Country Hospital, care of the Foundation Office, 189 Prouty Drive, Newport VT 05885, Attention Wendy Franklin. In his later years, Jim interacted with many compassionate nurses and healthcare professionals. He appreciated the care they provided, and many had a fondness for him and his Irish charm. His favorite nurse though was his lifelong partner, Judy. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home & Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.
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