Patrick Gavaghan Obituary, Death – It is with heavy hearts that we pass along the news that the community of Medfield is mourning the passing of Patrick Gavaghan, who graduated in 2005. My deepest and most heartfelt condolences go out to everyone in the Gavaghan family. When a warrior, they remain a warrior forever. Born October 27, 1920 to Gertrude and Joseph P. Gavaghan, Sr. in Philadelphia, PA. On July 12, 2018, Joe passed away without any discomfort at Indian River Estates. Joe attended Lincoln Prep and LaSalle College High School located in Philadelphia. He married Mary Alvey of Philadelphia on August 1, 1942.
He worked for Reading Railroad and Conrail for 43 years. He retired as general manager of sales for Reading Railroad and coal sales manager for Conrail. Joe enrolled in the United States Army on the day after Pearl Harbor, becoming a Sgt., served in the ETO (European Theater Operations), landing on Normandy Beach. He served in five, (5) key wars; Normandy, Northern France, Battle of the Bulge, Central Europe and finished up with the Russians in Lintz, Austria in 1945. He got many medals including the Bronze Star medal.
After coming home, he had 2 children, J. Patrick of Raleigh, NC, and Marita Schrauf of Village of Lake in the Hills, IL. Pat is married to Anne Ferebee and Marita married John Schrauf. Joe also had 2 grandchildren, Julie and Debbie Gavaghan of Cary, NC, and 2 great-granddaughters; Sydney and Emily Kalish of Cary, NC. He also had a good buddy for many years, Adele Rolly. He was predeceased by his wife Mary on April 9, 1980.
Joe was a member of the Union League of Chicago, Knights of Columbus, VFW, Moose, American Legion, Polish American Club of Vero Beach, past president of the Coal Club of Philadelphia and various Chambers of Commerce. In later years, he served as constable in Wyoming County, PA and was a volunteer for the police in Sebastian, FL for 17 years.
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