Jim Kavanaugh, 95, died on Wednesday, December 31, 2020, at the University of Virginia Medical Center.

He is survived by his son, Michael Kavanaugh; daughter, Ruth Kavanaugh; grandchildren, Jane Miller and Jim Miller; sister, Alice Kavanaugh; and many other relatives.

His wife of almost 60 years, Anne, and his sons, Patrick and Timothy, preceded him in death.

Originally from Roanoke, Virginia, Jim served in World War II as a B-17 radio operator/gunner in the U.S. Army’s Eighth Air Force, 379th Bomb Group. He attended the University of Virginia as an undergraduate, medical student, and resident before joining the University’s faculty as a child psychiatrist in the School of Medicine. After retiring from the University, Jim continued working with children and families at the Central Virginia Community Services Board for many years. Throughout his career, Jim was a mentor to many and those relationships, which meant so much to him, lasted his whole life.

Jim liked being at his home in the country, gardening, interacting with young people, and keeping up with current events. Above all, he was a book lover. He spent most of his time reading, collecting books for his immense personal library, finding the perfect title to give to a friend, and thinking and learning about everything. He considered himself a blessed Irishman and shared generously with others.

Burial at the University of Virginia Cemetery and Columbarium will be private. A celebration of life service will occur at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Friends of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, 201 E. Market St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, or to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville, 967 2nd St. SE, Charlottesville, VA 22902.