Remembering Ray Cavenas

Family, Community Service and Bear Pride

Photo captions by Joei Shaller

Photos courtesy Keri Cavenas

 

Coal Cracker Advisor Raymond Anthony Cavenas, of Mahanoy City, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 7 at Hershey Medical Center surrounded by family and friends.

Born on June 5, 1966, Ray was the son of Patricia Hanrahan Cavenas and the late Raymond Cavenas. He is survived by his wife Keri and their children Nicholas, Joei and Emma; brothers John and his wife Nikke, Terry and his wife Melissa, of Mahanoy City; and Christopher and his wife Patricia, of Conyngham; aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Ray was a 1984 graduate of Mahanoy Area High School. He attended West Chester University. He was employed as a Construction Foreman at Fabcon where he was a Union Representative with BAC Local 5. He was a two-term Mahanoy City Borough Council Member.

Ray was a devoted Notre Dame fan, and viewed Mahanoy Area Bear Pride as more than two words painted on a mountain; it was a way of life. He was a Golden Bear football coach for many years from the junior high to varsity levels. Ray was a member of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish; he taught CCD for many years, and was a founding member of ACTION Youth Group.

A mass of Christian burial was held at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish. Interment will be at the convenience of Ray’s family.

Memorial gifts can be made to the Go Green for Cavein fund at M& T Bank in Mahanoy City.

“My Dad often told stories about growing up on Spruce Street in Mahanoy City,” says his daughter and Coal Cracker journalist Joei Shaller.

There weren’t many things that made my Dad as proud as being a Golden Bear, according to Joei. As a Mahanoy Area student, he played for the Bears, and went on to coach for many years.

“Everything my Dad did was for the family he loved so much,” adds Joei.