Donald M. Cavanaugh 1958-2020
STRUTHERS — Donald M. Cavanaugh, 61, passed on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his family.
Donald was born Sept. 29, 1958, in Youngstown, a son of Donald and Florence Timmins Cavanaugh.
He was a 1976 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and received the nickname “Skin” by classmates, which continued throughout his entire life.
After graduation, he began working for Trumbull Industries, working his way up the ladder over the next 42 years, with his most recent position as inside sales representative.
An avid golfer, Don enjoyed golfing with his Thursday night Ball Busters Golf League and got a hole-in-one in 1990 on Hole 16 at Hubbard Golf Course.
Some of his other favorite pastimes were riding his treasured Honda VTX 1300C motorcycle and taking walks in Yellow Creek Park. From a young age, he was a passionate local sports fan, supporting his hometown Struthers teams and cheering for The Ohio State Buckeyes.
He was a devoted and selfless husband, father and grandfather, always being a constant source of love and guidance. He was especially proud of his title of “Papa” and enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s events. Don was also extremely intense and stubborn by nature, qualities he used over his 2 1/2-year journey fighting lung cancer.
He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 40 years, the former Lorraine M. DeVincent, whom he married Sept. 29, 1979; children, Nicole (Bill) Spiker of Delaware, Donald V. (Jennifer) Cavanaugh of Poland, Amanda (Tom Batianis) Cavanaugh of Struthers, Vincent (Stephanie Hubert) Cavanaugh of Struthers and Celeste (Vincent) Dell’Arco of Struthers; sister, Cathy (Mike) Cope of Boardman; brother, Jack (Becky) Cavanaugh of Leetonia; nine grandchildren, Grace, Blake, Elliana, Daniel, Andrew, Delaney, Luca, Rowan and Athanasi; mother-in-law, Erma DeVincent of Poland; and sister-in-law, Angela (Jeff) Davis of New Middletown.
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his father-in-law and best friend, Vincent DeVincent, and his sister-in-law, Cheryl DeVincent.
A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main St., Poland, with the Rev. John Jerek officiating. Family and friends will be received 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday and 10 to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.
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