Lawrence J. Cavanaugh

Lawrence J. Larry Cavanaugh passed away quietly in his sleep Monday morning October 1, 2007 . He was 87 years old. Larry was the second oldest son of Bernard Cavanaugh and Ann Shields Cavanaugh of Allegan, Michigan. The Cavanaughs were farmers and had 7 children, Tom, Larry, Edward, Bernard Barney, Raymond, Mary and Margaret. Larry began working at Blood Brothers Machinery Company in 1940 as a heat treater, until May of 1942 he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Larry served in the 79th Infantry Division, 314th Regiment, Co. H. Landing in Normandy at Utah beach in mid June 1944, the 314th fought its way through France , Belgium and Germany . In January 1945 Larry and most of the second Battalion of the 314th were captured while fighting near Drusenheim Germany , near the boarder with France . Larry was reported as missing in action, while the Germans sent him to a Stalog in Austria . He was a prisoner of war for 3 months until the end of the war in Europe. He was sent stateside for a short leave and to prepare for the invasion of Japan when the war finally ended in August 1945. Larry Cavanaugh received the purple heart medal for wounds, as well as the combat infantry badge for his military service. After the war, Larry attended Michigan State College, now Michigan State University , on the GI Bill, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. With his degree in hand he went to work for General Motors, specializing in wheels and brakes, working at GMs Milford , Michigan proving grounds. Then in 1957 Larry met Margaret Bouchez at a catholic dance in Detroit . Margaret was working for Detroit Stained Glass Company as an artist. The two were soon engaged and were married on Margarets 30th birthday, June 14, 1958. Larry and Margaret had 4 children, John, Robert Bob, Mary and Patrick. Sadly, John was killed in an accident in May 1977, just short of his 18th birthday. Larry and Margaret sent all three of their remaining children to college. After taking a period of time off to raise her children, Margaret continued her career in stained glass. Larry finished his engineering career at the Detroit Tank Arsenal, TACOM, retiring in 1995 after more than 30 years with the company. Larry enjoyed retirement. He and Margaret often visited their grandchildren, Kaitlan, Delaney and Gordon, who live in Toledo, Ohio . In April 2003, while visiting in Toledo , Larry fell down a flight of stairs and suffered a traumatic brain injury. The injury left him with impaired speech and language comprehension, but he was eventually able to return to his home in Warren, where was cared for until his death by his son Bob. Larry is survived by his wife Margaret, brother Edward (Beth), sisters Mary and Margaret (Milt), children Bob, Mary and Patrick (Leah), and grandchildren Kaitlan, Delaney and Gordon. He is also survived by many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends and neighbors. Mr. Cavanaugh will lay in state Thursday 9 am at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church unti the time of the funeral Mass at 9:30 am. Celebrating the Funeral Liturgy will be Rev. Fr. John Hall. Visitation for Mr. Cavanaugh will be Wednesday from 3-9 pm at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home 30009 Hoover Rd. at Common (12 Mile). Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Watson Township, Michigan. Please share memories at Mr. Cavanaugh's guest book.