IN MEMORY OF A MAYOR
Gay Coyle carries a City of Edmonton flag presented to her Thursday at St. Joseph’s Basilica by Mayor Don Iveson during the funeral for her father, former longtime city councillor and mayor Terry Cavanagh.
Family and friends came together on a cold Thursday morning to share warm and funny memories of former Edmonton mayor Terry Cavanagh and to celebrate his life.
Cavanagh brilliantly encapsulated the charm of Edmonton, said Mayor Don Iveson.
Iveson was speaking at the celebration of life held for Cavanagh at St. Joseph’s Basilica. He died peacefully and surrounded by family on Dec. 17, at age 91.
It was at St. Joseph’s Basilica where Cavanagh was baptized and married, said Cavanagh’s son-inlaw, Dennis Fitzgerald.
Born in Edmonton in 1926, Cavanagh moved to Galt, Ont., to play hockey with the Galt Red Wings, skating alongside Gordie Howe.
He returned to Edmonton in 1957, and became the city’s first Edmonton-born mayor in 1975. He was first elected an alderman in 1971, served on Edmonton city council for 27 years and was appointed mayor twice.
Cavanagh led by example and wasn’t afraid to take the bull by its horns, Fitzgerald said.
Gene Zwozdesky, former Speaker of the Alberta legislative assembly, described Cavanagh as “Mr. Everything.”
The devoted husband, father and grandfather was kind, caring, diplomatic, patriotic, religious and sympathetic, he said.
“He really was everything,” Zwozdesky said. “He was a friend and he was a close adviser. He loved people and people loved him.”
Through it all, Cavanagh remained humble and kind, he said.
Zwozdesky once asked Cavanagh what the secret to his popularity was.
With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, Cavanagh replied: “Just treat everyone as though they voted for you.”
Then, more seriously, he added: “Just be considerate and listen to what people are saying.”
Zwozdesky had a message for Cavanagh.
“Terry, my friend, I know you’re still listening,” he said. “Thank you for being everything to everyone.”