MARTIN CAVANAGH, 64

Custodial engineer for Dept. of Education
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Staten Island Advance

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Native Staten Islander Martin Cavanagh, 64, a retired Department of Education custodian engineer, died Thursday in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay, due to complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Born in Grant City, Mr. Cavanagh settled in Eltingville in 1998.

Mr. Cavanagh worked for 37 years as a custodial engineer and district plant manager with the city Department of Education. He began his career as a cleaner at PS 41, New Dorp and was promoted to custodial engineer in 1976, working for five years at PS 90 and then for two years in PS 225, both in Brooklyn. He also worked for eight years in PS 16, Tompkinsville. He was promoted to plant manager in the late 1980s, where for five years he supervised over 70 schools in Brooklyn and Staten Island. He retired in 2006.

Mr. Cavanagh was an active member of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 891 for more than three decades.

He held a high pressure steam boiler license, a fire safety directors' license and numerous other job related certificates.

"Marty was always willing to work above and beyond for the students and staff of PS 16. Although he was in charge of the facility, his commitment was to make our school feel like home. He had pride in his school and exuded warmth and a calm presence. It didn't matter if you were a student or the superintendent. He showed everyone the same respect. On a personal note, he will really be missed. He taught me a lot about leadership," said Vincenzia Gallassio, principal of PS 16.

According to family, throughout his career Mr. Cavanagh often encouraged career advancement amongst his employees, setting an example of moving up in the ranks much as he did.

He was included in the 2007/2008 Strathmore's Who's Who for Individuals demonstrating leadership and achievement in their profession.

"I could sum up my father in one word -- teacher," said his son, Martin Jr. "He always took the time to teach me something that would be a value in my life. Every situation he encountered became a life's lesson."

His true passion was auto racing. He was an avid fan of NASCAR and National Hot Rod Association drag racing and often traveled the country watching races.

He also enjoyed racing his world-record-setting 2003 Corvette in the "Corvette Challenge" at Raceway Park, Englishtown, N.J., on the weekends and often winning many trophies during competitions.

Mr. Cavanagh enjoyed building and flying small aircraft. He was known for having extensive knowledge in home building and used that to design and build his own custom home.

Mr. Cavanagh was a devoted supporter of the ALS Association, rallying friends and family to raise tens of thousands of dollars to find a cure for ALS. According to family, he actively participated in many clinical trials to help combat ALS and was a pioneer who traveled internationally to undergo stem cell therapy.

Donating blood was also a lifelong commitment, according to family.

"Dad was someone who was full of life. He was an amazing husband and father. He cherished his family and grandchildren", said his daughter, Kelly Fiore.

His first wife of 19 years, the former Dorothy Lee Evitt, died in 1984.

Along with his daughter, Kelly, also surviving are a wife of 10 years, the former Rosemarie Mangano; two sons, Martin and Shawn; a stepson, Stanley Mangano; a stepdaughter, Marie Elena Brusco; a brother, Kevin; a sister, Dawn Andersen, and seven grandchildren. The funeral will be Monday from the John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Eltingville, with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in Holy Child R.C. Church, Eltingville. Burial will be in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.