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Obiturary Fr. James Cavanaugh

The St Edwards classmates will remember the famous Cav Hold . 

Fr Cavanaugh was at St Edward  during our Jr High years 

Father James Cavanaugh died on Friday, September 11, 2026, at the age of 100. He held the distinction of being the oldest priest to serve in the Diocese of Youngstown.

He was born August 24, 1926, in Youngstown, a son of Robert and Rose Kennedy Cavanaugh. He grew up on Crandall Avenue, on Youngstown’s North Side, during the Great Depression.

Father Cavanaugh graduated from St. Edward Elementary and Junior High and Ursuline High School prior to entering Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit. He completed his seminary training at St. Mary Seminary, Cleveland. He later earned a master of arts degree from John Carroll University.

During his active priesthood, he pursued, over a dozen summers, additional studies in Scripture at Georgetown University.

After his ordination on May 26, 1951, by Bishop Emmet Walsh, Father Cavanaugh was a summer program assistant pastor at St. James Parish in North Jackson. He then served as assistant pastor at Youngstown St. Edward Church until 1964, when he was named pastor of Sacred Heart, Rock Creek.

Father Cavanaugh became pastor of Wellsville Immaculate Conception Parish in June 1966, serving there until his appointment as pastor of Masury St. Bernadette in September 1975. He retired July 31, 1988.

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55th YEAR CLASS REUNION