January 23 is the anniversary of Leo P. Cavanaugh.

Leo Patrick Cavanaugh, son of Matthew and Annie Cavanaugh, was born in Medford, MA, on August 10, 1912. After attending Boston College High School and Boston College, he entered the Order on September 13, 1938. He professed first vows on October 31, 1939, and solemn vows on October 31, 1942.

He studied theology at Augustinian College, Washington DC, and was ordained to the priesthood at Trinity College, Washington DC, on May 29, 1943. In 1944 he was assigned to the Midwest Province as a teacher at Saint Rita High School. In 1946 he taught at Cascia Hall, Tulsa, OK. From 1950 to 1951 he taught at Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai, CA. In 1951 he returned to Saint Rita High School in Chicago as a teacher, a task he carried out with dedication for the remaining years of his life.

During the last few months of his life Father Cavanaugh suffered from a terminal illness he died at Saint Joseph Manor in Portland, ME, on January 23, 1984.

Father Leo Cavanaugh was always known as a gentleman and, especially in his later years, for his care for the community and the students he taught.

Father Cavanaugh is buried in the Augustinian plot at Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Lawrence, MA.

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