Robert Paul Kavanagh, father of 5, grandfather of 10, great grandfather of 1, and husband of 58 years, passed on January 14, 2015, after a battle with cancer, and was surrounded by his immediate family. The Severna Park resident was 84.

Born in Baltimore in 1930 and raised in Pimlico and Brooklyn MD, he was the son of James Joseph Kavanagh and Katherine Marie McDonough. He was predeceased by his brothers, Patrick John, Joseph Hanley, and James Wheeler. He is survived by his sister, Anne Sant' Ambrogio, his devoted wife Mary Elizabeth, and four generations of family, relatives and friends.


Bob, as he was known by many, began his education at Saint Rose of Lima grade school, and graduated from the Calvert Hall College High School. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the army to serve in the Korean War. He later earned his baccalaureate in business management from the University of Baltimore in 1961. Bob had a dedicated and distinguished career at the National Security Agency, where he served for nearly 30 years. Bob was a world traveler, having lived and worked in Hawaii, and had seen much of the Middle East, Europe and Southeast Asia.

Bob was a devoted husband, who married Mary Elizabeth (Makar), of Baltimore, in 1956. Together they raised five children: Patrick, Denise, Christopher, Timothy, and Matthew Lopaka. Their next generation brought them 10 grandchildren. Brian, Katherine, Robert, and Stephanie Smith, are children of his daughter Denise and her husband Robert S. Smith III. Iris, Isabella, and Gabriel are the children of Patrick. Anna Joy is the daughter of Christopher and his wife Emily. Kyle and Abby are the children of Matthew and his wife Carla. Iris will soon deliver Bob's first great-grandson. They were all the apples of his eye and brought him much joy and happiness throughout the years.

"Kav" was an avid golfer, who enjoyed a round with jokes and relaxation at the 19th. Bob enjoyed reading, and he was a frequent visitor of the public library. He was a fan of football and lacrosse, and was renowned for his consistent attendance of his children's and grandchildren's sporting events. Bob was active in a variety of social clubs including the Phoenix Society, the Brooklyn Boosters, and the Ferndale Community Club. In retirement, he enjoyed spending time with friends, family and fellow members of the International Order of Old Bastards and the Green Beer Society. With his quick wit and caring spirit, Kav was beloved by everyone he met. He greatly enjoyed making people laugh.

A memorial gathering will be held on Tuesday, January 20th from 5:00pm-8:00pm at Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 21st at 11:00am at St Bernadette Catholic Church, 801 Stevenson Road, Severn, MD.

Following the funeral service, a military honor ceremony and interment will be held at 1:45pm at Maryland Veterans Cemetery Crownsville, 1122 Sunrise Beach Road, Crownsville, MD.

A celebration of Bob's life will be held at the Ferndale Community Club, 15 5th Avenue N, Glen Burnie, MD 21061.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Robert Paul Kavanagh to Hospice of the Chesapeake, (www.hospicechesapeake.org).