Thomas S. Kavanaugh
U.S. Navy Senior Chief Thomas S. Kavanaugh, 87, passed away Friday, December 7, 2012, in his home in Coal Center, with family in attendance.
He was born October 8, 1925, in New Haven, Conn., a son of Thomas S. Kavanaugh Sr. and Gertrude Gregan Kavanaugh.
Mr. Kavanaugh was a pioneer in U.S. Navy scuba diving and explosive ordnance disposal.
His explosive ordnance disposal career began in 1953 and he retired as the instructor in Indian Head, Md., in 1970, after suffering the “bends” on his last dive there. He served on many ships including the aircraft carriers, USS Boxer, USS Midway and USS Independence. He was a World War II veteran and was involved in D-Day +1 on the USS Excelsior while serving as a navy gunners mate with the Armed Guard.
After the military, he worked and retired from Nissan Motors.
He was a member of Sojourners United Church of Christ in Charlottesville, Va., and Charleroi American Legion. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and past president of Norfolk Branch Fleet Reserve.
His wife, Charlene Ann “Char” Sparacio Kavanaugh, died March 6, 2006. They were married July 1, 1950, in San Francisco, Calif.
Surviving are four sons, Clifford Kavanaugh of Charlottesville, Kevin Kavanaugh of Coal Center, Keith Kavanaugh of Virginia Beach, Va., and Shawn Kavanaugh of California; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Friends are welcome from 9 to 10 a.m., the hour of a blessing service, Monday, December 10, in Thompson-Marodi Funeral Home Inc., 809 Main Street, Bentleyville, 724-239-2255. The Rev. Edward L. Yuhas will officiate. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Monongahela. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wounded EOD Warriors. Visit www.thompson-marodi.com to leave a condolence message, order flowers and share photos.