Michael Willard Kavanaugh

Michael Willard Kavanaugh (Mike) 2/20/32 – 6/1/21 passed away peacefully at home in Petaluma, CA surrounded by family at the age of 89. Mike was born in Chicago, IL to Michael A. Kavanagh of Co. Mayo, Ireland and Dorothy Knox (Ryden) of Redkey, Indiana.

Mike began attending college at Loyola University Chicago in 1950 and was a member of Pi Alpha Lamda (PAL). He aspired to go to medical school but when he wasn't accepted he instead pursued a career in Naval Aviation. On July 27th, 1955, Mike entered Naval Air Station Glenview in Illinois, then on to Pre-Flight training in Pensacola, Florida. His first solo flight was January 26th, 1956. During these years, Mike was instrumental in providing for his Mother Dorothy and two younger brothers Steve and Randy. His brother Randy looks back on these years fondly, remarking that his brother was more like a Father to him and because of Mike he had a wonderful childhood.

In 1956, Mike was stationed in Coronado, California and it was there he met Victoria Korosi who he married in 1958. In the first years of their marriage, they lived at Sangley Point in Manila Bay, Philippines and this was a highlight of their time together. The two were married for 24 years and had five children together. In 1981, Mike had another son named Kristopher.

On July 27th, 1967, during the Vietnam War, Mike was flying a KA3B Sky Warrior as a detachment on the USS Oriscany when both engines failed in a thunderstorm and he spent over 9 hours floating in the China Sea before being rescued. As he floated in the water he prayed “Please let me go back to them [my family], God please”. His prayers were answered and he went on to live a full and happy life as a civilian, after resigning his Navy commission in 1968. He continued flying Navy planes in the Navy Reserve in Alameda, California.

Mike attended graduate school at Thunderbird in Glendale, AZ in 1971 and after graduating was offered a position in multinational sales with Cutler-Hammer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After many years in Milwaukee, he worked and lived in Pt Gibson (MS), Holiday (FL), Aiken (SC), and San Diego (CA). He was an avid hunter, a gun aficionado and a military history buff. Mike also loved dogs and cats and had many over the years including Snuffy, Sheila, Buster, Speedy and Biscuit.

Michael is survived by his son Mike Kavanaugh Jr and grandchildren Nick and Emma (Nashville, TN); son Jim Kavanaugh, daughter-in-law Natalie Nickel Kavanaugh and granddaughter Haley Kavanaugh (Petaluma, CA); daughter Maria Kavanaugh (Corte Madera, CA); daughter Kathleen Kavanaugh, son in law Andrew Gurthet and granddaughter Anna Gurthet (Palo Alto CA) ; daughter Patricia Kavanaugh and son in law Kailin Waterman and grandson Takoda Waterman (Fairfax, CA); son Kristopher Kavanaugh and daughter in law Jessica Davis Kavanaugh and grandchildren Iyla and Alder (Fort Collins, CO); brother Randy Ryden and sister in law Debbie Ryan and niece and nephew Rebecca and Jeramiah Ryden (Escondido, CA). He was preceded in death by his brother Steven Ryden.

Private Service will be held at Cypress Hill Memorial Park, Petaluma, CA

In lieu of flowers consider a donation to: https://www.parkinson.org/ways-to-give or

https://www.michaeljfox.org/donate

.