Robert K. Cavanaugh

Robert K. Cavanaugh, 92, returned peacefully to the Lord on Monday evening at Mountain View Care Center after a lengthy illness. He was the widower of Rose A. Newkirk Cavanaugh, who passed away on April 4, 2005, after 52 wonderful years of marriage.

Born and raised in the Nativity section of Scranton, Bob was the youngest son of Michael and Theresa Lyons Cavanaugh. He attended Scranton public schools, including Whittier grade school and Scranton Central High School, from where he graduated, class of 1943. He went on to the University of Scranton, where he served as president of his class, graduating in three years in 1946.

Bob began his teaching career at Seton Hall Prep School in New Jersey before returning to Scranton in 1951 to teach at his beloved Central High School. Always respectful of students and eager to teach, Mr. Cavanaugh was appreciated by his many students in his English and Spanish classes, and by those fortunate enough to have this wise and gentle man as their guidance counselor.

As Bob Cavanaugh's teaching career progressed, he became painfully aware of the Scranton School District's failure to recognize the needs of the faculty at large. Inspired and guided throughout his life by a quote of Abraham Lincoln, - "To sin by silence when you should protest makes cowards of men"-, Mr. Cavanaugh was among a select few teachers in the district who saw the wisdom of forming an American Federation of Teacher's Local, and they signed an AFT Charter to represent teachers. And represent teachers they did. Bob worked tirelessly to improve working conditions for teachers. When the school board objected to Mr. Cavanaugh's sensible pleas to improve salaries and other working conditions, Mr. Cavanaugh reminded the board that teachers had not signed an oath of poverty when they entered the world of teaching, and like the board members and administrators themselves, teachers had families to support and bills to pay as well. For many years, Bob served as president of the Scranton Federation of Teachers. Along with dedicated, wonderful committee members, he worked tirelessly, negotiating outstanding contracts for teachers. Tough, honest and fair-minded, he led teachers on picket lines and provided the impetus and protection to allow teachers to organize, and strike if necessary. At the request of teachers in other districts, Bob helped organize other local Federations, the Dunmore and Pittston Area School Districts, most notably. Teachers throughout Pennsylvania owe a debt of gratitude to Bob Cavanaugh for all he did to improve teaching conditions and compensation.

Simultaneously, Mr. Cavanaugh also served as president of the Pennsylvania Federation of Teachers. He was so good at what he did he was called upon by the American Federation of Teachers for committees where upon he became familiar with the AFT's staff development program known as the ER&D and Critical Thinking programs, which analyzed research to assist teachers in helping their students. Bob's close look at and understanding of these programs inspired him, seeing them as opportunities to further professionalize teaching. With the full support of the administration, these programs brought in-services "second to none" to the Scranton School District, which became the envy of other districts in the northeast and across the country.

He also served faithfully with the Scranton Central Labor Union and as chairperson of the United Way of Lackawanna County.

Today, teachers have lost a devoted champion, but Bob will rest in peace knowing he has left behind a magnificent teacher-led team following in his footsteps.

The family wishes to thank the marvelous nurses, LPNs, aides and activities personnel at Mountain View Care Center's Bella Bay, all of whom made Bob's life pleasant, comfortable and interesting.

Bob is survived by his sister, Nance McGrath, of Willow Grove, Pa.; cousins, Judge William J. Nealon and Barbara Connor Quinn; and many adoring nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.

He is also survived by his caretaker, Mary Alice Kilcullen, whose privilege it was to care for Bob.

Bob was preceded in death by brothers, Vincent and James, and sisters, Mary and Claire Cavanaugh.

The funeral will be conducted on Saturday, with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in Nativity of Our Lord Church, 633 Orchard St., Scranton, by Pastor Michael Bryant. Family and friends may call on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Frank M. Regan Funeral Home, 715 Linden St., Scranton. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow.

Memorial contributions may be made to Nativity of Our Lord Church, 633 Orchard St., Scranton, PA 18505 or to St. Eulalia's Parish, 214 Blue Shutters Road, Moscow, PA 18444.