Passed away at Royal Jubilee Hospital on Dec. 28, 2011. Des was born in Victoria at St. Joseph’s Hospital on April 3, 1930, sixth and youngest child of Captain Ellice Martin Cavin and Mary Ellen O’Neill. Predeceased by his beloved wife, Isabella Le Blanc, in 1993 and by two brothers, Bernard and Patrick and son-in-law, Allan Sheridan. Survived by four children, Peter (Laura), Mary Sheridan and Catherine in Victoria; Michael (Margaret) in Prince Rupert; grandchildren, Craig, Andrew, Sara, Ben, Paul and Emily; brother, Gerald (Frances); sisters, Mary de Verteuil and Margaret (Fred) Griffin; sisters-in-law, Theresa Fellingham in Lumby and Denise Poll in Vernon; nieces and nephews. Des was educated at St. Ann’s Primary School, St. Louis College, Victoria College, Victoria Normal School, and graduated from UBC with a B.Ed. degree in 1959. He taught in public elementary schools from 1950 until his retirement in 1985. The schools were: Duncan Elementary, Northfield Elem. (Nanaimo) and six in Greater Victoria – Oak Bay Elem., Willows, Tolmie, Monterey, View Royal and Fairburn. During his youth in the 1940’s, he was a member of the Victoria and Island Gliding and Soaring Club and at age 16 was awarded Gliding Certificate No. 157 by the Royal Canadian Flying Clubs Association. Flights were made at Rithet Farm in Royal Oak and at the old airfield now occupied by Lansdowne Middle School and the adjacent residential area. Des and Belle, married in 1956, moved to this former airfield site in 1958 and raised their family. Dad lived in the family home for the rest of his life. Des joined the Knights of Columbus Victoria Council in 1956 and later became a charter member of St. Patrick’s Council #7934, where he was a long-time executive member and Grand Knight for three years. He became an Honorary Life Member in 2001 and received his 50-year pin in 2006. A life-long Catholic, he served on St. Patrick’s Church Parish Council and was chairman for a total of nine years. He was active on the Building Committee which planned the present Parish Centre and St. Clare Villa Seniors’ Residence. He also served as a lector and usher for more than 30 years. His hobbies were reading, history, gardening, golfing and playing music of the dance band era on piano and organ. The family wishes to thank all who cared for him at Royal Jubilee Hospital and assisted him during his illness.
Visitation will be held at MCCALL BROS., Johnson & Vancouver Streets on Tuesday, January 10th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church, 2060 Haultain St., on Wed., January 11th at 12:10 p.m. with Fr. Bill MacDonald, O.M.I., Celebrant. Reception after Mass at St. Pat’s Parish Centre. Interment will follow at Ross Bay Cemetery. Flowers gratefully declined. If desired, donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
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Ron and Brenda Lindsay
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Sarah Clarke My condolences to the Caven family, especially Cathy whom I met at a UVic Public Relations course a few years ago. Mr. Caven was my Gr. 7 teacher at Tolmie School (64/65) and I had a lot of respect for him. My heartfelt sympathy to all the family in the loss of your father and grandfather.
Sincerely,
Sarah Clarke
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June and Eric Domke As former colleagues of Des at Fairburn we remember him fondly as a congenial staff member and great teacher.(also Isabella who was an outstanding sub).
We were unable to attend the burial service due to previous commitments, but wish to express our deepest sympathy to all your family.
Sincerely, June and Eric Domke.
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Frank Peters My condolence along with all the many Knights that have so much respect for Des & how he inspired all of us. We were blessed to know him & heaven is blessed to have him.
Brother Frank Peters.
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Brian & Nicole Pete, Laura and Family,
Our condolences again on your Fathers passing. From reading the above its sounds as he was a great guy….which isn’t surprising based on the Cavin’s we have met!!
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Al Pelter Please accept my regrets at the news of your father. I will always remember our family visitations in the years gone by
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Mrs. Ray Flemming(Julie St. Jorre) Thinking and praying for you at this difficult time. Your Dad was such a nice man and I have many happy memories of our times spent at Saint Patrick’s.
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Ian and Katrina Our condolences to Des’ family. Des was a wonderful neighbour. We will miss our frequent visits and his quick wit. God bless you Des.
Ian and Katrina
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Dorte Sorensen To Peter, Laura and family,
I was very sad to read of Des passing in yesterday’s paper. He was such a nice man. Thinking of you at this time.
Dorte
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Mary and Keith Kelly To Mr. Caven’s family,
We just became aware of Mr. Caven’s passing while reading the paper yesterday. As one of Mr. Caven’s backyard neighbours we enjoyed many conversations over the years. My Dad and Mr. Caven enjoyed chatting about the glider flights they both took over our homes many years ago.
Mr. Caven was a wonderful neighbour and we will miss him.
Sincerely, Mary and Keith Kelly
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Jim Kocurek My heart goes out to the family.
Des was my school teacher in Duncan many years ago.
Around 16 years ago, I met him at a K. of C. function in Victoria.
He was a great roll model for me during my early school days.
It’s teachers like him that can and did guide young minds, who later go on to be model helpers in their community.
Des, thankyou for your undivided patience to many young minds.
May Jesus guide you on your next journey .Jim Kocurek
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Van Somer Family Dear Cathy and family. So sorry for the loss of your dad. He really was a wonderful gentle man. He will be missed by all who knew him in the St Patricks parish community.
May he rest in Gods glorious presence.
Hugs
Lorrie and family
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Sally Bell Dear Peter, Mary ,Catherine, and Michael and families,
My heartfelt sympathy to you all on the loss of your dear Dad. Des was a wonderful gentleman and a great roll model for so many colleagues, Gerry being one of them. I have such fond memories of our times together when Gerry and he taught together and we visited you in your home. It seems such a short time ago!
Sending my warmest and loving thoughts to you during this sad and difficult time.
Sally
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Barb Gillespie Peter, so sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences to you and your family at this time.
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Calvin Jones, Grand Knight To the Cavin family:
On behalf of the Knights of Columbus St. Patrick’s Council 7934, I would like to express our sincere and heartfelt condolences to you all at this most untimely loss. Des was a valued member of our council and a dear friend to every one of his brothers. He will be sorely missed. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
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Bill Turner Cathy we are so sorry to read of your dad’s passing in the paper. Oddly enough I was just thinking of and your grandad (Ellice) a couple of weeks ago. Please pass on our condolences from the clan north of the Malahat to your brothers and sisters. I expect that Lois and I will be attending the service on Wednesday. I am not sure if any of the other cousins up here will be able to to make it but will pass the word on in any case.
Best Regards
Bill Turner
Cobble Hill BC
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Theresa Vogel Please accept my condolence on behalf of the ‘Society of Friends of St. Ann’s Academy ~~ Victoria, B.C.’; your father was a faithful supporter of the Society and the heritage of St. Ann’s Academy. Among the girls and women who are a credit to the school, there are also boys and men who carried the traditions proudly and lived the life lessons learned with integrity.
Theresa Vogel, Executive Director
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Sue McAllister Peter, Laura, Craig, Andrew, Mary and all the Cavin family:
Just got news of your dad’s passing via the newspaper today. So very sorry to hear this news. His obituary gives testament to a life well lived. Our thoughts are with you all. “Love is a memory that never fades.”
Sue and Pat
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Phoebe Edmond Please accept my sincere condolences. May you find comfort and hope in the words found in John 5:28,29.
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Rob Heppell Dear Peter, Mary, Cathy, Michael and families,
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. Unfortunately with our Dad, Tom not being around I didn’t receive the regular updates that I would get after their Wednesday lunches and historical tours of city. I guess they can start those meetings again in Heaven.
Your Dad was a true gentle-man. Your family is in the thoughts and prayers of the Heppells.
Des was a wonderful neighbour to us over many years. We will miss the friendly chats as he checked out his garden. We will remember how good-natured he was about fetching and returning balls, hockey pucks and frisbees that our kids sent through the hedge.
To all his family, our sincere sympathies.
Ron and Brenda
2900 Queenston St.