LYNN — Friends and former colleagues remembered the late John “Jack” Cavanagh as an “old school gentleman” who was a master at defusing the often-tense atmosphere in Lynn District Court.
A Lynn native, Cavanagh, 68, died Tuesday morning after a long illness. He leaves his wife, Jacqui, and daughter, Allie, and son-in-law, Rob Hartman.
“There was no better guy than Jack Cavanagh,” said William McDonald, Cavanagh’s second cousin.
Cavanagh retired from the Essex Street courthouse in 2013 as first assistant clerk, capping off a career in the Probation Department and then the Clerk Magistrate’s office that enshrined him in colleagues’ memories as a professional who brought a smile and kind disposition to a tough job.
“He was one of the nicest people; just a great guy,” said attorney Kevin J. Calnan, a long-time Cavanagh friend.
Attorney Stephen P. O’Malley was a newly-minted prosecutor in 1996 when he met Cavanagh. Even though he held a powerful courthouse job helping to oversee court proceedings, Cavanagh constantly brought empathy and fairness to his job.
“He was professional but light hearted. When Jack was the clerk in your courtroom, you knew it was going to be a good day,” O’Malley said.
The son of John and Gertrude Cavanagh and one of six siblings in a well-known East Lynn family, Cavanagh graduated English High School in 1969 and excelled as a baseball and basketball player.
Long-time friend Steven Gorynski recalled walking onto a basketball court when he was 11 years old and noticing a kid in white high tops who commanded respect from fellow players.
“All the kids talked about was ‘Jack Cav, Jack Cav.’ He could shoot the lights out,” Gorynski said.
Lynn resident Peter McGinn said Cavanagh brought a natural athletic grace to the basketball court and ballfield — and he was ambidextrous. He mildly annoyed his friends when he picked up golf with ease and he loved to compete.
“There wasn’t a more natural athlete than Jack,” Gorynski said.
A Class of 1973 Salem State College graduate, Cavanagh went to work counseling boys enrolled in a Lynn public schools pre-vocational junior high program. State budget cuts in 1981 that decimated schools sent Cavanagh to the courthouse where he was hired as a probation officer.
“Court can be an uncomfortable place but Jack put people at ease. He always helped people, never hurt them,” McDonald said.
Retired Justice Albert S. Conlon said Cavanagh made a constant effort to understand people and their problems and treated everyone from judge to probationer equally.
“He did something every day to help someone,” Conlon said.
Former Clerk Magistrate Jane Stirgwolt said Cavanagh smoothly guided the clerk’s office through the transition from paper to computer records, all the while handling the heavy case volume pouring into the courthouse.
“He was a calming influence and held in such high regard,” she said.
District Court Chief Court Officer John Nerich recalled Cavanagh welcoming him to the courthouse and quickly displaying an even-tempered personality that remained charitable even when Cavanagh took exception to someone.
“He had a great smile and a great stare and he would never brush you off if you had a suggestion,” Nerich said.
District Court Chief Probation Officer Joseph Pennucci said Cavanagh was the courthouse Pied Piper leading co-workers, prosecutors and attorneys through District Court’s complex, often-frustrating workday world.
“He treated people as he wanted to be treated and he commanded respect,” said Pennucci.
Following his brother Paul F. Cavanagh’s death, Cavanagh played a key role in organizing and running the tournament in his late brother’s name that raised money for high school scholarships.
Retired Justice Brian R. Merrick said Cavanagh’s community activism and love for family will be well remembered and rivaled his love for work and sports, including the University of Connecticut which his daughter attended.
“He never missed the Big East. We got there every which way — trains, planes and driving,” McDonald said.