John “Jack” Francis Cavanagh III, 84, of Winchester, VA passed away on Monday, March 24, 2025 at The Willows of Winchester.

Jack was born in 1940 in Providence, Rhode Island the son of the late John Francis Cavanagh II and Helen (King) Cavanagh. He was a parishioner at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, received his PhD from Purdue University and worked for the U.S. Navy with the Department of Defense as a Physicist until his retirement.

Jack was an Amateur Radio Operator and Volunteer Examiner and he also belonged to the Rappahannock Valley Amateur Radio Club. He was an active participant of the M.A.R.S. Program (Military Amateur Radio Service) which would help to set up and establish emergency communications in times of disasters and was also a member of the NATO work group as part of his job responsibilities. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus in Fredericksburg, VA and was an active leader with the Boy Scouts.

He married Carolyn Elizabeth Gerlach on August 21, 1965, in Green Bay, Wisconsin and she preceded him in death on March 21, 2016.

In addition to his parents and wife, Jack is preceded in death by his brother Tom Cavanagh.

He is survived by his children Alan Cavanagh (Ellen), Nathan Cavanagh (Amy) and Keeva Cavanagh; grandchildren Hannah, Rachel and Gus; sister Eileen Cavanagh; brothers Paul Cavanagh (Maxine) and Mike Cavanagh (Elizabeth) as well as many loving nieces, nephews and dear friends.

A Requiem Mass in memory of Jack will be held at a later date at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Winchester. He will be laid to rest next to his loving wife Carolyn at a later date in a private ceremony at Oak Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Memorial Contributions in memory of Jack may be sent to: Knights of Columbus at www.kofc.org