1943 - 2017

Don passed away at Lions Gate Hospital after fighting a courageous battle with a terminal disease, just 2 days shy of his 74th birthday.

Born in Grand Falls, N.B. he was the 11th child of the late Roy and Monica (Rideout) Kavanaugh in a family of 11 boys and one girl.

After graduating from Grand Falls Composite High School, where he was President off his class, Don attended Loyola College in Montreal (now Concordia University) where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Political Science. He then went on to study interior design and architecture at Parsons School of Design in New York City.

Don's first job in the design field was in Toronto but he soon got itchy feet and hence moved to the west coast. Initially he taught design courses at Douglas College in New Westminster. Within a couple of years, he had hung his own shingle and, in addition to teaching, was involved with design projects through his own company. His many projects over the years included renovating and restoring private homes, dental offices, funeral homes and even did extensive work on several heritage properties. He also designed and had homes built in his home town back in N.B. but his favourite projects were those he worked on in Palm Springs, San Diego and Salt Lake City.

For 2 years, Don served as President of the Interior Design Association of Canada. Don, again in true Irish tradition, was a very devout Catholic and for years was an active member of St. Pius X Parish in North Vancouver. In recognition of his many significant contributions to the Catholic Community, Don was knighted into the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, a Roman Catholic order of Knighthood under the protection of the Holy See in Rome.

His greatest passion in life was in helping the youth. To that end, he joined the Vancouver Rotary Club and eventually became in charge of the Youth Exchange Program. In this capacity, he provided counsel and advise to the exchange students during their year in Vancouver. Even to this day, many of these students have maintained contact with Don and were a tremendous support for him during his terminal illness.
In recognition of his contribution to various Rotary programs over the years, Don was the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award on 3 separate occasions. This award acknowledges individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

Don is survived by his brother Clarence (Laurencia), sister Gladys Gorey, and brothers Earl (Joan), Tom (Denise), Al (Corinne), Kevin (Betty); sisters-in-law Katherine, Madeleine, Joyce; many nieces and nephews and cousins. Predeceased by brothers Francis, LeRoy, Cyril (Cy), Hubert (Bud) and john; sisters-in-law Thelma and Bernadette and brother-in-law Louis Gorey.

Family and friends wish to extend their gratitude to caring individuals of the Lions Gate Hospital Palliative Care Unit. Don’s immediate family wish to express profound thanks to Don’s many, many loyal friends who were such an integral part of his life, especially during the past year and a half. Their many acts of friendship & kindness are so much appreciated. As Don would say: “you will receive your reward in your next life”.