A house RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE FREDERICK BATES CAVANAUGH, JR., FORMER MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AIKEN, TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened by the passing of the Honorable Frederick Bates Cavanaugh, Jr, former mayor of the City of Aiken on December 28, 2022, at the age of eighty-six; and

Whereas, born in Richmond, Virginia on November 29, 1936, he was the son of Mary Wynne Cavanaugh and Frederick Bates Cavanaugh. When he was fifteen years old, the Cavanaugh family moved to Aiken and the young Fred began his sophomore year at the new Aiken High School. He became a member of the school's first graduating class in 1955. Fred attended Virginia Military Institute, graduating in 1956, with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering; and

Whereas, in the patriotic tradition of a Palmetto son, Mr. Cavanaugh was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force where he served with distinction for three years before being honorably discharged. He continued his career with DuPont and Westinghouse where he worked for thirty-six years in various locations, the majority of his time at the Savannah River Site, and retired in 1995; and

Whereas, Mr. Cavanaugh was a model public servant and had a passion for giving the citizens of Aiken the finest, most thoughtful, creative, and honest service. He began his career in public office as a councilmember for the City of Aiken in 1985 and two years later was elected Mayor Pro Tempore. In 1991, Mr. Cavanaugh was elected mayor of the City of Aiken where he served with diligence and distinction for twenty-four years; and

Whereas, during Mayor Cavanaugh's tenure, the City of Aiken blossomed into one of the most attractive cities in the State, receiving recognition as an All-American City in 1997 from the South Carolina Municipal Association for its demonstrated ability to solve problems by harnessing public, private, and nonprofit resources to effect change. The city increased its involvement with local schools and mounted substantial efforts to preserve historic buildings and natural amenities, developing a vibrant downtown through revitalization and fostering one of the State's best recreation programs; and

Whereas, besides his work as the Mayor, he further served his community as a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, the American Legion, the Aiken Rotary Club, as an honorary member of the Marine Corps League, and as a charter member of the SRS Retiree Association. He was a faithful member of St. John's United Methodist Church. He also chaired the Aiken Community of Character Initiative and in 2000, earned the Municipal Association of South Carolina's highest award for the Character Initiative. Additionally, he was named the Aiken Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year in 2004; and

Whereas, Mr. Cavanaugh leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of forty-seven years, Lee Quinn Cavanaugh; two sons, Alex and Brian Cavanaugh; sisters, Judith Lee Cavanaugh of Charleston, Mary Anne Cavanaugh of Aiken, and Tish Cavanaugh Hudson (Larry) of Maggie Valley, NC; and a host of other relatives and friends. He will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of the Honorable Frederick Bates Cavanaugh, Jr, former mayor of the City of Aiken, celebrate his life, and extend their deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Ms. Lee Cavanaugh.

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