James Richard Cavanaugh

Jim Cavanaugh: to put it quite simply, to know him was to love him. James Richard Cavanaugh Jr. was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania on November 12, 1960, thus beginning his unwavering devotion to his beloved Steelers, Pirates and Penguins teams, as well as Pitt, Penn State and, later, The Tennessee Vols. He was tiny when he came into this world, but he made up for that quickly with a huge personality. He lit up every room that he walked into! Because our family moved, Jim started his academic career in Bether Park PA, but ended it in Knoxville, TN. Jim graduated from Farragut High School in 1979 and then attended The University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Jim carried his love of all things Pittsburgh and The Great Smokey Mountains with him for his entire life. Jimmy has many friends and family all over the USA: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, West Virginia, Delaware, Florida and California. He especially loved the ocean and the mountains and would spend as much vacation time as he could in one of those two places. Jim’s love of sports is almost legendary! Jim was a sports fanatic from a very early age playing baseball, football and hockey as soon as he could hold the bat, ball or stick. Anyone who knew him was undoubtedly familiar with “the great sports shrine” that he had erected in his home. On game day, he would arrange all his memorabilia in a very particular way, and no one could move anything until after the game. Woe to anyone bringing bad “juju” into his place on game day, he’d send them packing! Jimmy’s wardrobe was made up of mostly of sports jerseys, sweatshirts, jackets, branded socks, and his famous “Jesus Sandals”! His beloved Steelers featured most prominently. If you were a Steelers fan you were aces with him, if not, you were tolerated (unless of course you were a Ravens or Browns fan) Jimmy was a proud member of the Stagehand’s Union Local 12 since 2008. He made lifetime friends within its ranks and always spoke fondly of all his union brothers and sisters. Jim was proceeded in death by his loving parents, James R. Cavanaugh Sr. and Joann McFadden Cavanaugh. Jim is survived by the following family members; sisters, Terri Cavanaugh-Dayton (husband Charles), Michel Ward (husband David), Lisa Cavanaugh; brother, Nathan Cavanaugh; nephews, James Ward, Joseph Ward and Dylan Dayton; nieces, Sarah Palmisano and Emily Botvinnik; great nephew, Ben; great nieces, Caitlin and Harper; aunts, Kathleen Cavanaugh, Glenda Fleeger, and Angie Yohe (husband Jim); uncles, Joseph Cavanaugh and Jack Vogler; 1st cousins, Ellen, John, Diane, Valerie, Jeff, Malene, Doug, Scott, Michael, Frances, Jeannie, Daniel, Andrea, Beth and Christopher. In accordance with his wishes, there will be no funeral. However, the family will have a “Celebration of Life” in the spring when the weather is more hospitable. For information regarding the time and place please check his page here. Memorial donations can be made in Jim’s name to Cozy Cat Cottage adoption Center https://www.cozycatcottage.org , memorial tribute tab or The Great Smokey Mountains National Park https://www.nps.gov/getinvolved/donate.htm , donate tab.

James Richard Cavanaugh

November 12, 1960 - February 2, 2025