A Tribute to Our Longest Serving Board Member, Rich Cavanagh

We are deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of Rich Cavanagh, a dedicated volunteer of the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame. Rich passed away Sunday August 24th, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nancy, son Craig (Kelley) and his twin grandsons, Braeden and Caleb, of whom he was so proud!

Rich was an honorary inductee into the class of 2012 for his long-time volunteerism. His contributions over the years (and up until his death) included: longest serving member on our Board of Directors, (acting from 2004-2021 as secretary of the Board), being the well-known starter at “Jack’s Annual PDSHOF Golf Tournament”, and the always-professional marshal at our annual induction ceremony typically held in June, where he would proudly lead the bagpiper and inductee class into the ceremonial hall. He took that job very seriously, as he knew how special that night was for each new inductee, and he wanted to set the tone for the evening!

Rich could be found at the Hall each Tuesday and Thursday morning, working on displays and keeping the Hall clean and tidy, and was ‘the guy’ in charge of coffee, tea and refreshments at break time.

He was well known in the sports community, playing softball in the men’s league, and was a longtime, avid basketball referee in local boys’ and girls’ high school leagues and for the men’s and women’s city leagues. A highlight for Rich was being named a life member of the Kawartha Golf and Country Club several years ago!

A funeral mass will be held at St. Anne’s on Saturday at 10 a.m. Visitation will be held on Friday at Highland Park Funeral Centre from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A link to Rich’s Highland Park Funeral Centre obituary can be found here.

In lieu of flowers, the family is kindly requesting donations be made to the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame. A link to donate can be found here. We thank the family for this kind gesture.

Rich will be missed by all who had the pleasure of working with him!

Our sincere condolences to Nancy, Craig, Kelley, Braeden and Caleb and extended family.

Thanks for your dedication to the Sports Hall of Fame Rich!