Paul Patrick Dermot Kavanagh

Our condolences to Joan and family. Bonnie has never forgotten being welcomed by Paul and Joan for her first Christmas in Ottawa. We will remember.

As a student in Mr. Kavanagh's English class at Brookfield High in 1966-67, I benefitted very much from his love of literature and kindness. He was an encouragement and inspiration!

Condolences from our family. Such a lovely tribute.
Steve, Gillian and Sam

So loved my uncle Paul, his amazing command of the English language, his sense of humour and his warmness to everyone he met. I remember surprising him at the Friday mayflower pub in ottawa and he gave me the biggest hug got joan on the phone and bought all the drinks for me and my friends. I remember he and I at the cottage and his mom (my grandma) marie telling him no more beer for you and I would sneak him one from the fridge. He was a real Gem and will be greatly missed.

Our condolences to the whole Kavanagh family. Stan & Louise Young, Southampton Ont.

Paul was a frequent visitor to Doheny and Nesbitt's pub in Dublin during his annual visits to Ireland, and we usually met him there after his visits to Grogan's. We looked forward to his annual visits, his tales and his wicked sense of humour . He had not visited for a few years due to Covid lockdowns amongst other thing, but we hoped he would return in 2023. We will a few pints in your honour. Rest in Peace, Paul.

My condolences to Joan and the whole family.

I am one of Paul’s American cousins. His mother and mine were McMurray sisters. I have fond memories of going to Canada every summer with my family, either staying in Bancroft near his mother, my Aunt Marie, or Madoc, near our Aunt Rita, in a cottage on a lake. Paul actually lived with us in my hometown of Amityville, Long Island, NY for a few summers when he went to college. He worked at my father store, and he and my dad (his ‘Uncle George’) got along great. they shared a love of humor and could banter endlessly. Puns galore! He read vociferously. My brother Jimmy and I adored him when we were kids, and he loved to tease us. My mother, Evelyn, whom he called ‘Neb’ had a very strong bond with him. In adulthood, I loved to see him at the McMurray reunions. I’ve never known a better raconteur! His warmth was always evident. Toward the end of her life, my sister Clare became very interested in writing poetry, and would often send him a limerick challenge! My husband, Richard, and I extend our deepest sympathy to all of you at this time of great loss. Among all of his accomplishments, the hallmark of his legacy is surely his beloved wife and family.

The story of Michael Hartnett’s visit to Ottawa and his stay with Paul and his family for a week in early September 1997, as told by Paul Kavanagh, is probably the best story that you could ever have heard in your entire life. Centred on his friendship with Michael Hartnett and set against the magical double backgrounds of the Dublin and Ottawa international writers festivals (Festival international des escrivains a Ottawa), with its great wealth of mostly unrepeatable details, it's a funny, exhilarating, irresistible crescendo that has all the most delicate subtleties and qualities of Paul Kavanagh's unique craft as a story teller.
MASTERPIECE!

My deepest sympathy to Joan and all the family on Paul's passing. I first met Paul around 1980, and most years after that when he visited Dublin, every year. I could write a book on all the stories and escapades he had while visiting Dublin.
May he rest in peace.