Family and friends celebrated the life of Scotts Valley resident William Cavanaugh with a weekend ceremony in Boulder Creek.
Mr. Cavanaugh died Feb. 13 at Santa Cruz Kindred Care at the age of 72.
A native of Santa Cruz County, Mr. Cavanaugh grew up in Capitola. He was a Boy Scout and attended Soquel Elementary and Santa Cruz High schools before serving in the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Cavanaugh was a general contractor who retired from Carpenters Union Local 505. He worked on and built many buildings in Santa Cruz, including the county building on Ocean Street.
Friends and relatives found Mr. Cavanaugh gregarious and charming, quick with a story and able to strike up a conversation with anyone. He enjoyed fishing, reading and watching the waves from West Cliff in Santa Cruz, and he was fond of dogs. He lived in Scotts Valley for 27 years.
Mr. Cavanaugh is survived by his mother, Evelyn Cavanaugh of Trinity; two daughters, Nicole Sallas of Bend, Ore., and Amy Eisenhut of Columbus, Ohio; two sons, Ryan Cavanaugh of Scotts Valley and Joel Wirth of Costa Mesa; a brother, Patrick Cavanaugh of Boulder Creek; a sister, Gloria Perry of Capitola; six grandchildren; and two nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Judith Cavanaugh; father, Albert E. Cavanaugh Sr.; two brothers, Albert E. Cavanaugh Jr. and Michael Cavanaugh; and a granddaughter.
A celebration of Mr. Cavanaugh’s life took place Feb. 23 at Camp Harmon in Boulder Creek, and private graveside services will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Santa Cruz.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to Homeless Services Center of Santa Cruz County, 115-B Coral St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
