Cavanagh, Daniel Francis (1958 – 2018)

Urara, Jack, and Julia Cavanagh wish to announce the death of their beloved husband and father, Dan Cavanagh, on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 10:20 p.m. at Maison McCulloch Hospice, Sudbury, ON. Dan is survived by his cherished wife Urara and his adored son and daughter, Jack and Julia. Dan was pre-deceased by his father Jack Cavanagh (2000) and his sister Tess Cavanagh-Werner (1989). He is survived by his loving mother Florence Cavanagh and his dearest brothers and sisters: Jim and Gert, Dennis and Nancy, Peter and Kayo, Janey and Art Roy, Anne and John Kasch, Jon and Pam, and Susan. He is also survived by twenty-two nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Dan was born in Thessalon, ON and maintained a lifelong affection for Thessalon and his many friends there. Upon graduation from University of Victoria, Dan travelled the Pacific and Southeast Asia. While living and teaching in Tokyo, he met the love of his life, Urara and they spent 27 wonderful years together. They raised Jack and Julia in the heart of Tokyo and loved spending summers at Big Basswood Lake at the family cottage. Along the way, Dan managed to complete his Masters of Education from Athabasca University. Dan traversed Japan on his motorcycle, meeting fascinating people and enjoying local culture and the beauty of Japan which he preserved with his many photographs. One of Dan’s regrets was having to part with his BMW motorcycle when he moved to Canada. Dan and Urara moved to Canada in 2016 to be near to their children and extended family after he was diagnosed with Stage Four pancreatic cancer. Dan faced his disease with courage and unfailing humour. When teased by his children, he would often pretend to call the “Cancer Patient Abuse Hotline” to report them. He followed the success (and failures) of his Toronto Blue Jays and Maple Leafs to the very end. His wife and children provided him with the strength and love to allow him to live at home until three days before his death. Urara, Jack and Julia wish to extend their utmost gratitude to the following people: Dan’s nephew Dr. Matt Cavanagh and his wife Frances, who provided invaluable advice and guidance and cheered Dan up with visits with their sons Liam and Carter; Dr. Cano and staff at Northeast Cancer Centre; Dr. Singh, Dr. Shum and Dr. de Blacam; the wonderful Bayshore Homecare nurses Stacey and Eve; and the lovely staff at Maison McCulloch Hospice where Dan spent his final three days. Dan and his family enjoyed many visits to Peter and Kayo’s home on Lake Huron at Algoma Mills and cherished their hospitality. Urara, Jack and Julia would like to thank Dan’s mother, brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews and friends for their visits, phone calls and invitations to their homes. Memorial donations in Dan’s memory to Northern Cancer Foundation or Maison McCulloch Hospice would be appreciated by the family. A Celebration of Life for Dan at Basswood Lake will be announced at a later date. Rest in Peace, Danny.