Obituary of Stephen Michael Kavanagh

" A beloved father, husband, brother, and friend, Firefighter Stephen M. Kavanagh , 52 of Catherine Dr., died October 16, 2006 as a result of an automobile accident. Born July 11, 1954 on Holyoke, MA, he was the son of the late William and Shirley (Hollis) Kavanagh. Stephen was raised and educated in Holyoke, and attended Springfield College as part of their Paramedic Program. He was a firefighter for the West Springfield Fire Department for 19 years and part of the Hazardous Materials Response Team for the Commonwealth of Mass. District 4. Stephen was dedicated to helping others. He was a member of the International Assoc. of Firefighters Local 2212 as well as a member of the Professional Firefighters of Mass. Along with the fire department, he also worked for the Belchertown Emergency Medical Services where he was a member of the E.M.S. Association. Stephen is survived and already missed by his wife of 19 years, Amanda (Roberts) Kavanagh and two children Cameron and Catherine. Stephen's family meant the world to him. He leaves a sister Kristine Lohmann and her husband Glen of New London, NH, a brother Peter Kavanagh and his wife Tara of Sunapee, NH along with his father’s widow, Jean Kavanagh of Holyoke. Stephen leaves many nephews, nieces, and cousins who also thought the world of him. A funeral service will be held Saturday at 9:00 a.m. from the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian burial at St. Francis Church at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Jerome Cemetery in Holyoke. Calling hours will be Friday from 1:00 -3:00 and 5:00 -7:00 p.m. with a Remembrance Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home. His family would like to continue Stephen's love of helping others by asking that, for those wishing, donations be made in his memory to the West Springfield Fireman’s Permanent Relief Assoc., 44 Van Deene Ave., W. Springfield, MA 01089. "