EMERALD ISLE  -  John 'Jack' Mitchell Kavanagh, 85, of Emerald Isle, passed away Saturday, February 22, 2025 at his home.

He was born April 2,1939 in Rahway, NJ, to the late John and Josphine Stewart Kavanagh.

Jack was a true patriot and faithfully served his country in the United States Marine Corps.

It was a dream of Jack and Theresa's to live next to the ocean.

In 2011 they built their home in Emerald Isle and in 2012 their dream was fulfilled when they moved there permanently.

From surf fishing to painting to driving around town in his golf cart to Formula 1 and NASCAR and watching his New York Yankees were among the things that brought him such joy.

He was a force of nature, never met a stranger and everyone who met him became a lifelong friend.

His earthly presence will be forever missed but we know that he will always be watching over us until we reunite in Heaven.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Anna Cosgrove and Edith "Edie" Rand.

Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Theresa Connelly-Kavanagh of the home; daughter, Jacqueline Marie Decker (Tom) of New Egypt, NJ and son John Mathias Kavanagh (Denise) of Brick, NJ; grandchildren, Thomas and Josephine; and sister, Patricia Greeley (Ron) of Big Pine Key, FL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tunnels to Towers at t2t.org.