Robert Andrew Cavanagh
Robert “Bob” Andrew Cavanagh, 95, left us for his heavenly home on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026.
Born Sept. 25, 1930, to Ignatius and Ila Mae Cavanagh, Bob was a lifelong resident of Auburn Township, Ohio.
Bob devoted his life to his family, his friends and farming. He was a member of Saint Helen’s Catholic Church and later in life attended the Auburn Community Church. In the past year, Bob enjoyed several home visits with Fr. Jay McPhillips of Saint Helen’s.
Bob was an avid Cleveland and Ohio State sports fan.
He was involved in and held leadership positions for many agriculture-related organizations over the years, including ASCS, 4-H, Ohio Holstein Association and National Holstein Association.
Bob graduated from Auburn High School in 1948. He served as class vice president and class treasurer, was in the class play, worked on the yearbook, was an eight-year 4-H member and played basketball, baseball and football. In 2024, Bob was honored by the Auburn Township Trustees at the Auburn School Dinner as one of the oldest living alumni of Auburn School.
After attending Kent State University and serving in the United States Air Force, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Agnes Zoffian, on Oct. 9, 1954. Together they
raised three children and operated Cavanagh Farms, developing a prized herd of registered Holsteins and making top quality maple syrup.
A proud accomplishment for Bob and PJ was breeding Miss Cavanagh Liza Fury, who went on to score Excellent 94-3E and make over 240,000 pounds of milk in her lifetime.
In 2006 he was inducted into the Geauga County Maple Hall of Fame.
Agnes preceded him in death in 1994.
On Aug. 19,1995, Bob married longtime friend and neighbor Rae Button, expanding his family to include Rick and Debbie Blankenship (Rae’s daughter), their two children, Jodi and Nick, and the memory of Rae’s late son Billy. Bob and Rae enjoyed 15 years together, doing some traveling and wintering in Florida, where Bob was always fixing things for others.
In addition to his parents, his wives Agnes and Rae, Bob was preceded in death by an infant son and granddaughter, Jodi Blankenship.
He is survived by his sons, Mike (Karen) Cavanagh and P.J. (Ruth) Cavanagh, both of Auburn; daughters, Debbie (Rick) Blankenship, of Auburn, and Chris (Mark) Sayers, of Marysville, Ohio; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Geauga County Department on Aging, Home Delivered Meals, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Suite 200, Chardon, OH 44024.
A gathering will be held Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, from 1-2 p.m., at Adam Hall Community Center, 11455 Washington St., Auburn. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m.
Services by Green Funeral Care, Mantua, Ohio.
