John Douglas Cavanaugh
March 25, 1947 - May 21, 2022
SAN DIEGO, CA — Our brother and dad, John, passed away from complications due to Alzheimer’s at Palomar Hospital on May 21st. John was born at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Los Angeles, California, five minutes before his twin sister Ann, to Marion and Douglas Cavanaugh.
He spent the first nine years of his life in Alhambra, moved to Pomona in 1956, graduating from Pomona Catholic Boys High School in 1965. He attended Mt. Sac where he was a member of the track and cross country teams, transferred to Cal Poly where he continued his college career as a long distance runner, and graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 1971 with a degree in Biology. John was a VISTA volunteer from 1972-1974 in Pawnee, Oklahoma.
He returned to California, obtained a teaching credential while working for Lockheed, and spent 30 years teaching various science courses, mostly Physics, at San Pasqual High School in Escondido. He retired in 2007.
John was an avid cyclist, placing 9th in the Race Across America (RAAM) in 1989; and, an exceptional competitive sailor for many years. He continued running and cycling until his illness left him unable to participate safely.
He is predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth Ann (Manning) Cavanaugh whom he married in 1986 and who pre-deceased him in 2015.
Betty and John and their boys, Patrick (of Escondido) and Tommy (of Encinitas) traveled widely, spending many vacations camping in their motorhome from Baja, up the California coast, and into the Pacific Northwest.
Tommy and Patrick were the light of John’s life. In addition to his sons, John leaves seven brothers and sisters including his twin sister Ann, Mary (Ron) Martin, Carol Cavanaugh, Jim Cavanaugh, Claire Cavanaugh, Kevin (Cindy) Cavanaugh, Tom (Susanne
Cho) Cavanaugh, three (3) nieces and many cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday afternoon, June 9th in Marina Del Rey, California. Please email John’s sister at ccavanaugh@ cavlaw.net for location, time and directions. John would be happy to know that his friends and family celebrated his life together.
In John’s memory, please donate to a STEM Program in your local school district benefiting low income/underprivileged middle school and high school students.
We will miss John forever.