M. Brian Cavanaugh

Okemos, Michigan

M. Brian Cavanaugh, age 42, passed away on Thursday, March 24, 2011. Throughout his thirty-nine month battle with appendix cancer, he never stopped living or fighting. Brian was born October 14, 1968 in Ann Arbor to Mike and Cammie (Michner) Cavanaugh. Brian was a graduate of Okemos High School (1986), the University of Michigan, and the University of Denver College of Law. He was married on July 13, 1996 to Amy (Moore) in Breckenridge, CO. Brian was a partner in the law firm of Butzel Long. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and uncle whose family was always his first priority.

Brian and Amy lived in Denver, CO for ten years where he was a partner in the law firm of Jones and Keller. Brian loved to travel, was a movie fanatic, and shared enduring friendships with his U of M fraternity brothers of Delta Upsilon. Despite his illness, Brian made the most of the last three years, enjoying travels with his family, and two memorable summers dubbed “the Summer of Awesome” and “the Summer of Awesome II” with his girls.

Brian is survived by his wife, Amy; daughters Molly and Maeve; parents Mike and Cammie Cavanaugh; sisters Shane (Tim McCarthy) Cavanaugh, Katie (Bill Truluck) Cavanaugh, Meghan (Andrew Serratelli) Cavanaugh; nephews Cavan and Colin; nieces Reagan and Taylor; grandmother Leonilla Cavanaugh; and mother-in-law Janet Moore. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Walter and Marie Michner, and Norbert Cavanaugh; and father-in-law Roger Moore. Brian and his family thank Dr. Hamdan, Dr. Herman, and the staff of Sparrow Hospital Oncology Center, as well as the doctors and staff of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Brian’s name can do so to Ele’s Place or the Sparrow Foundation for the Oncology Center.

Visitation at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River, East Lansing on Saturday March 26th from 5-8pm; Sunday 2-4, and 6-8pm. Additional visitation at St. Martha Parish, 1100 W. Grand River, Okemos at noon on Tuesday March 29th with the funeral Mass following at 1pm. Internment following Mass at Leek Cemetery in Mason. On line condolences may be made at www.gorslineruncimaneastlansing.com.