E. John Kavanaugh, 90, a Chicago firefighter for many years who finished high school and obtained two degrees from DePaul University while working to support his family, died Wednesday, Feb. 13, at his Southwest Side home of heart failure.
Born in Chicago, Mr. Kavanaugh attended St. Rita High School but did not graduate because he started working after his father died, said his son, Jim. He held several jobs that required manual labor.
At 20, Mr. Kavanaugh applied to the Chicago Fire Department, accepting a job two years later. In his career with the department he worked his way up from engineer to acting division marshal. Mr. Kavanaugh also was part of the first squad to respond to the historic La Salle Hotel fire of 1946, which took 61 lives.
Frank Pagni, a retired Chicago fire chief, said Mr. Kavanaugh was a conscientious worker and a friendly man.
“He was a volunteer for practically any assignment,” Pagni said. “He mixed right in; he told jokes and was a very likable lad. He cared about his fellow men a lot–he’d do a little something, odds and ends, that would help.”
That same dedication led Mr. Kavanaugh to complete his education–including bachelor’s and law degrees from DePaul University–while working as a firefighter.
Mr. Kavanaugh was a member of Moose Lodge No. 44 and a founding member of the Chicago Fire Officers Association. He also founded an association for retired fire officers when he left the department at age 63.
His family remembers a stoic, yet loving, man who sold insurance and real estate in addition to his career to support his family. He was married to his late wife, Sally, for 55 years.
“He was always there. For all the important moments of my life he was there,” said his son, who recalls his father giving out candy to children by the fire station.
His granddaughter Katie Clark said “Grandpa Kavanaugh” expected a lot from his four grandchildren.
“Schooling was a big thing for him. He always expected us to perform well,” Clark said. “He’d show up at graduations, band concerts. He was just very supportive.”
Mr. Kavanaugh also is survived by a sister, Lucille; and three other grandchildren. Services have been held.
