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cavanagh obit

A memorial service for Whistler pioneer Barney Cavanagh was held last Monday at the Burquitlam Funeral Chapel. Cavanagh was born Aug. 19, 1924 in Edmonton, Alberta. In 1942 he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force for three years.

A memorial service for Whistler pioneer Barney Cavanagh was held last Monday at the Burquitlam Funeral Chapel. Cavanagh was born Aug. 19, 1924 in Edmonton, Alberta. In 1942 he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force for three years. It was in the air force that he first met his wife, Bertie. The two recently celebrated their 52nd anniversary together. Cavanagh was the provincial executive director of the B.C. Boy Scouts and a Scout leader in Burnaby for 18 years. After Burnaby, he spent 11 years in Garibaldi and then Black Tusk Village. He nearly lost his house in a flood at Garibaldi. Cavanagh later worked for the Liquor Store, Alpine Security, the RCMP and as a local marriage commissioner. In 1996 he moved to New Westminster Quay. "Barney had a great enthusiasm for life and could instil confidence in other people, he was a ‘people kind of guy’," says Florence Petersen, a Whistler marriage commissioner and long-timer friend. "He was a superb leader, a unique person who respected all, a devoted husband, father and grandfather." Cavanagh is survived by his wife, four sons and grandchildren.