(Robert) Gordon Cavanagh - It is with broken hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Gord Cavanagh, age 69, on Tuesday, August 4th, 2015, at the Cypress Regional Hospital, after complications following heart surgery.
Gord is survived by his wife, Jill; his daughters, Kelly (Darcy) Henderson – children, Grady and Mack: Jamie (Sean) Lopeter – children, Greta, Nev, and Farah; his sister, Cathy (Tim) Gallaugher; sister-in-law, Donna Cavanagh; brother, Rod Cavanagh; his father-in-law, Jim Anderson; brother-in-law, Gary Anderson (Paulette); sisters-in-law, Lois Anderson, Marjie (Randy) Ottenbreit; and by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Forbes & Marion Cavanagh; Jill’s mother, Iola Anderson; his brother, Don, in 2014; and by a brother-in-law, Ernie Anderson, in 2014.
Gord was born on May 9,1946, in Moose Jaw, SK to parents, Forbes & Marion Cavanagh, the oldest of four children. He took his schooling in Boharm, SK until Grade 9, and at Riverview Collegiate in Moose Jaw. He then attended the U of S, College of Education and started his teaching career in 1968 in Swift Current. In 1970, he met Jill Anderson who had come to Swift Current for her first teaching job and they were married in 1971. They welcomed two daughters, Kelly Colleen in 1976 and Jamie Brooke in 1977.
Gord served in various clubs and organizations over the years, which he truly enjoyed. But, his main interest and commitment was teaching at Irwin and SCCH for 30 years, and the friendships it brought with students and families along the way. Many of the staff at the hospital were former students who gave our family extra care because Gord was their teacher. In retirement, he spent many hours with the people he had taught with. He started a retired teacher’s billiard league, sharing hours of fun and laughter. He golfed every morning at 9 a.m. with the same group of friends for years. When the weather didn’t permit, he was at the gym with another group. The gym group also went out to eat once a week and called themselves the Romeo’s (Retired Old Men Eating Out). When grandchildren started arriving and he saw how busy his girls were, he started Crock Pot Thursdays. He made a meal for both girls and their families and delivered it to their home every Thursday. His 95 year old father-in-law, Jim, moved here in November, and Gord spent many hours with him. In the last several years, winters were spent in Hemet, CA, where Gord & Jill made many friends, golfed, shared afternoon matinee ‘dates’ and lived the good life. He was a proud and involved ‘poppa’ to 5 healthy, happy grandchildren.
The Funeral Service was held on Monday, August 10, 2015 at 2:00 pm from the Eastside Church of God, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Kevin Snyder officiating. Pianist Sheila Hildebrandt ushered the family into the church playing “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”. Tributes were shared by George Kolb, daughters, Kelly and Jamie, and Pastor Peter Nikkel. Congregational and special music was under the direction of Dave Smith and the worship team. The ushers were Rick & Nancy Lake and Dave & Anne Stewardson. In memory of Gord Cavanagh, donations made to West Bank Bible Camp or to Youth Emergency Shelters (YES) would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK. For further information or to leave a personal message of condolence on the family‘s obituary page, please go to swiftcurrentfuneralhome.com