78 passed away, 1/17/19, peacefully surrounded by family. He was born on May 5, 1940 in Providence where he resided. Paul enjoyed all his family and friends as a lifelong summer resident at Roy Carpenter’s Beach, Matunuck Always a family man, his extended far beyond his wife, eight children and six siblings as was evident with his time spent with Boy Scouts, Knights of Columbus, an active member of St. Raymond Church and their St. Vincent DePaul, Saltwater Anglers, ROMEO Club, and the RI Food Bank . He was a member of the Air Force and honourably discharged after four years from active duty. He was employed as a Sheet Metal Worker and retired from Local Union 17. After retirement he took on a part-time position as a maintenance person at Re-Focus, Inc.

He happily joins his predeceased wife of 57 years Rita (Kiernan) Kavanagh and his parents Edward Kavanagh and Mary Thelma (Duggan) Kavanagh.

He is survived by his children and their spouses; Mary & Seth Anderson, Nancy & Ron Andrews, Maureen & Gary Pepin, Paul & Carol Kavanagh, Jr., Robert “Bob” & Kimara Kavanagh, Joseph “Joe” Kavanagh, Peter Kavanagh & Grace Calore, Deborah & Adam Ruthowski. He leaves behind 12 grandchildren; Eric Pepin, Joshua Anderson, Kaitlyn Pepin, Jacob Andrews and his wife Meagan, Zoe Anderson, Trevor Andrews, Tianna Kavanagh, Rylee-Rose Kavanagh, Hunter Kavanagh, Grace Kavanagh, Celia Ruthowski, and Edward Ruthowski.

He is also survived by his siblings; William & Kathryn Kavanagh of West Virginia, James & Elizabeth Kavanagh of Massachusetts, Thomas Kavanagh of Rhode Island, Kathleen Kavanagh-Tremper & Ronald Tremper of Massachusetts, Donald and Christine Kavanagh of Rhode Island, and Sr. Christine Kavanagh, RSM. of Rhode Island.

He will forever be remembered, as his wife is, for their love of family and having everyone together for holidays and summer days at the beach where there was never a shortage of food, laughter and fond memories.

His funeral will be held on Tuesday, January 22, at 8:30 from the Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Higginson Avenue, Lincoln, RI followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10:00am in St. Raymond Church, 1240 North Main Street, Providence, RI. Interment will follow at Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter, RI. Calling hours will be held on Monday from 4-7pm, all relatives and friends are invited. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Raymond’s St. Vincent DePaul, ℅ Mary Moura, 427 River Road, Lincoln, RI 02865 or Re-Focus, Inc., 45 Greeley St., Providence, RI 0290