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Rev. Leo P.Cavanaugh, O.S.A. (1912-1984)

Rev. Leo P. Cavanaugh, O.S.A. entered eternal life January 23, 1984.

Leo Patrick Cavanaugh was born August 10, 1912 in Medford, Massachusetts to Matthew and Annie (Macdonald) Cavanaugh. He was Baptized August 18, 1912 at St. Clement Catholic Church, Medford.

Leo graduated in 1931 from Boston College High School, Boston, Massachusetts. He earned a B. A. in Economics from Boston College, Boston, in 1938.

He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate October 30, 1938. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine October 31, 1939 and solemn (permanent) vows October 31, 1942. He pursued theological studies from 1941 to 1944 at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He was ordained a Priest May 29, 1943.

Father Cavanaugh was assigned in 1944 to St. Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois, as a Teacher. He was transferred in 1946 to Cascia Hall School, Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a Teacher. He taught at Villanova Preparatory School, Ojai, California, during 1950 and 1951.

In 1951 he returned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, where he taught with great dedication for the remaining years of his life.

Toward the end of his life, Father Cavanaugh suffered from terminal cancer, which caused his death January 23, 1984 in Portland, Maine.

He was known as a gentle man and, especially in his later years, for his care for his Augustinian community and for the students he taught.

He is buried in the Augustinian plot at St. Mary Cemetery, Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Memorial gifts may be made to Augustinian Guild, Tolentine Center, 20300 Governors Hwy., Olympia Fields, IL 60461-1081.