Waterbury – John J. Cavanaugh, Sr, 82, passed away on Sunday evening at Vitas Healthcare Inpatient Hospice Unit at St. Mary's Hospital. He was the husband of Patricia (Reilly) Cavanaugh. John was born July 18, 1941, in Waterbury, son of the late Joseph W. and Irene (Hebert) Cavanaugh. John was a third generation Waterbury Police Officer, proudly serving in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, John retired in 2008 after 44 years. For the last fifteen years John has worked as a funeral assistant at the Bergin Funeral Home, Woodtick Memorial in Wolcott and the Lyons Funeral Home in Thomaston. A devout Catholic, John was always an active member of his parish, which included St. Aloysius Church in Plantsville and the former Church of the Epiphany in Cheshire, he received the St. Joseph Award from the Archdiocese of Hartford. He was proud to be from Waterbury and proud of his Irish Heritage. In addition to his loving wife, John is survived by two sons, John J. Cavanaugh and his wife Lenay of Gray, ME and Michael P. Cavanaugh of Middletown: one brother, Joseph W. Cavanaugh, Jr of Waterbury and two grandchildren, Ryan Cavanaugh and Lexi Cavanaugh. He was predeceased by his daughter, Katie. Calling hours will be on Wednesday, January 31, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Bergin Funeral Home 290 East Main St. Waterbury. A Mass of Christian burial will be on Thursday morning at 9:00 A.M. at St. Aloysius Church (St. Luke Catholic Parish) 254 Burritt St. Plantsville. Everyone is asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Waterbury.