Leo J. Cavanagh

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Leo Joseph Cavanagh of Huntley, Illinois at the age of 92. Leo was born at his family home on Evangeline Street in Rochester, New York on July 10, 1931. He was the son of Lawrence and Catherine Cavanagh, and the brother of older siblings Catherine and Thomas. 

Leo’s loving wife of 58 years, Lois Butler Cavanagh, passed away in 2017. Leo is survived by his two children, Margi (Bill) Stovall and Mike (Patty) Cavanagh, and his four grandchildren (whom he loved with all his heart and soul), Carly, Hanna, Katie, and Jack.

Leo graduated from the Aquinas Institute high school in Rochester, followed by the University of Rochester, and then proudly served in the United States Navy as an ariel photographer.

On March 17th, 1957, Leo first met his future wife, Loie at a St. Patrick’s Day party at the Irish Center in Rochester. Leo and Loie met again later that same year at an Eastman Kodak Christmas party, where they both worked. On Christmas Eve a year later they were engaged and then married on April 25th, 1959. 

Leo and Loie were all about the family, and they enjoyed attending all the grandchildren’s soccer, dance recitals, baseball, golf, basketball, and volleyball games as their #1 fans. They enjoyed spending time with the family at their summer home on Klinger Lake in Michigan. Leo was an uncle and great-uncle to many nieces and nephews. He always made family his #1 priority.

Leo had a very successful business career spending 40 years with Eastman Kodak working in Boston, Stroudsburg, Naperville, Rochester, and Atlanta. Leo started with Kodak as a Laboratory Assistant while he worked his way through college. Leo retired from Kodak from his position of leading the Southeastern US at the age 58, spending time in Atlanta and at their beach condo on 30a in Florida. His 3-year retirement didn’t last long, as Leo returned to work at Fuji, before retiring as VP and General Manager at age 65.

Leo was a devout catholic and parishioner of St. Joseph in White Pigeon and St. Mary in Huntley, with a deep, strong, and constant faith at the core of who he was. Leo and Loie shared so many fun times and fond memories with friends from their time living in Rochester, Cress Creek, Atlanta, Brian Cliff Manor, Huntley, and Klinger Lake. 

Leo was a Cubs fan, a golfer, followed the stock markets closely, was well-read on history and current events, news, and politics. He had a quick wit, a contagious laugh and always brought a positive mindset. He enjoyed telling stories and engaging in conversation with anyone, at any time, about any topic. He never said no to dessert. He loved to scratch all the family dogs. He was everyone’s grandpa cheering from the sidelines. Leo will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, Leo would ask you to hug a child or grandkid, call a loved one, or scratch a dog.

Memorial Visitation on Friday, September 15th from 10  am - 11 am at St. Petronille Catholic Church, 420 Glenwood Avenue, Glen Ellyn. Funeral Mass at 11:00 am, immediately followed by a reception at The Lodge at Glen Oak Country Club.