Date of death: 1/20/2010
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1936
Rev. Msgr. Richard T. Kavanagh, 98, passed away at St. Paul Hermitage. Richard was born on November 28, 1911 in Evansville, Indiana to Thomas Kavanagh and Delia (Fahy) Kavanagh, both originally from Galway, Ireland. His father died when Richard was two weeks old and Delia returned to Galway with Richard and his older brother, Michael, in 1913. The boys were educated in Ireland and returned to Indianapolis in 1922. Richard entered Saint Meinrad Preparatory School when he was 15. He was ordained on June 2, 1936. Msgr. Kavanagh spent two years in the Diocese of Denver, 1938, assistant pastor, St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower), Indianapolis; 1942-1945, assistant superintendent, Cathedral High School, Indianapolis; 1943-1947, assistant director, Catholic Charities, in charge of CYO, USO and Boy Scouts; administrator, Mary Queen of Peace, Danville; chaplain, Carmelite Monastery, Indianapolis; 1945-1950, superintendent, Cathedral High School, Indianapolis; 1947-1956, archdiocesan director of CYO; 1950-1951, assistant pastor, St. Mary, Indianapolis; 1950-1952, instructor, St. Mary Academy, Indianapolis; 1951-1955, administrator, St. Michael the Archangel, Indianapolis; 1955, pastor, St. Michael the Archangel, Indianapolis; 1962, dean, Indianapolis North Deanery; pastor, St. Michael the Archangel, Indianapolis; 1965, director, Archdiocesan Purchasing Department; dean, Indianapolis North Deanery; pastor, St. Michael the Archangel, Indianapolis; 1966, archdiocesan consultor; 1967, domestic prelate; 1972, dean, Indianapolis West Deanery, board of consultors, director, Archdiocesan Purchasing Department and pastor, St. Michael the Archangel, Indianapolis; 1982, retired. Monsignor Kavanagh was preceded in death by his mother, Delia, in 1966, and his brother, Michael, in 1981. Survivors include nieces, Patricia McCann Kavanagh and Ellen Marie (Lynn) Albrecht; nephew, Thomas Kavanagh and several great nieces, nephews and cousins in Ireland. Contributions may be made to St. Michael the Archangel Church, Cathedral High School or St. Paul Hermitage. A special thanks to Huser Home Care and St. Paul Hermitage.Published in the Indianapolis Star on January 24, 2010.