Frederick Shannon Cavanaugh, 88, of Mattapoisett, MA died March 18, 2008 at Sippican Nursing Home after a long illness. By his side was his loving wife of 41 years Lida Beth Cavanaugh (neé Robinson) and his two daughters L. Eileen Estudante of Mattapoisett and Amy L. Manning of East Lyme, CT.
Fred was born in Boston, the son of the late Edward and Mary (Shannon) Cavanaugh. He served in World War II as a First Lieutenant with the 30th Infantry Division "Old Hickory", 117th Infantry Regiment, First Battalion, Company C. He fought bravely with his brothers-in-arms during the battles of Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes, the Rhineland, and Central Europe Campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star with 2 battle oak leaf clusters, the World War II Victory Medal, the Distinguished Unit Badge with clusters and the European Theater Ribbon. He later served 18 years as a Captain in the Army Reserves. He was a member of the American Legion 0280, Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, 30th Infantry Division Association "Old Hickory", The Military Order of the World Wars and was a charter member of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
After the war, Fred attended American University graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Administration and became a career administrator for the Department of the Navy at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He and his family lived in the D.C. area prior to retiring to Mattapoisett in 1982. Fred was an avid sailor and a member of the West River Sailing Club, in MD. He found great enjoyment sailing in the Chesapeake Bay and later Buzzards Bay.
He was a member of the Unitarian Memorial Church in Fairhaven where he served on various committees.
He is survived by his wife Lida, two daughters, Eileen and Amy, son-in-law Dr. Brian Manning, of East Lyme, CT, a sister, Veronica Donnelly of Watertown, MA, two grandchildren, James F. Estudante and Andrea E. Manning and many nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Edward Cavanaugh.
Fred Cavanaugh's Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 29th at 11 AM in the Unitarian Memorial Church, 102 Green St. Fairhaven. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Mattapoisett YMCA Youth Sailing Program, P.O. Box 1067, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.
Directions to the Unitaran Memorial Church, 102 Green Street Fairhaven, MA 02719. Church telephone 508-992-7081, www.uufairhaven.org.
From Route 195, take the Fairhaven Exit 18 (Rt 240 south). Continue on Route 240 taking a right at the first set of lights onto Bridge Street. Continue on Bridge Street, taking a right at the second set of lights on to Route 6. Continue on Route 6, taking a left at the third set of lights onto Green Street. At the second 4-way stop intersection on Green Street, you will see the church on the corner of Green and Center Streets.