Kevin Kavanaugh

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Kevin J. Kavanaugh will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, October 30, 2025 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Davenport. The Mass will be livestreamed by clicking the following link: St. Anthony YouTube Page Burial will be in the Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island with military honors. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home. Additional visitation will be held Thursday from 9 until 10 a.m. in the gathering space at St. Anthony’s. Memorials may be made to Camp Courageous of Iowa.

Kevin died peacefully Friday, October 24, 2025 at his home in Davenport.

Kevin Joseph Kavanaugh was born on January 8, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois, a son of Walter and Mary (Vanecko) Kavanaugh. Kevin was united in marriage to Charlene Neva on November 27, 1971. She preceded him in death on August 21, 2011. He later married Bernadette Droste on September 22, 2013.

At the age of 17, Kevin enlisted in the Air Force, were he served as a cryptographer, stationed in Madrid, Spain. Not long after completing his service, in March of 1970, Kevin joined the Chicago Police Department where he enjoyed a decorated career in law enforcement. During his time on the force, Kevin served in a variety of capacities, from gang crimes to Business Liaison in the 18th District, which included Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. He rose through the ranks to Sergeant, then Lieutenant and later Commander in Internal Affairs. In 1990, he took a leave of absence to become the Chief of Investigations for the Cook County State’s Attorney, were he led the Department for six years. In 1996, Kevin returned to the Chicago Police Department as a Watch Commander in the 9th District before retiring from the force in 1997.

Kevin wore multiple hats though. In 1979, he began working security for a new hospitality venture, Levy Restaurants, in what would turn into a 43-year second career. Kevin’s roles changed and expanded as Levy Restaurants grew, and he joined the Levy family full-time in 1997 as Chief Security Officer, where he worked alongside lifelong colleagues and friends until his retirement in June 2022. While managing risk and ensuring the security of the company and its people was his job, what was meaningful to him during those 43 years was his work with Levy Cares, and in particular the homemade Thanksgiving meal they prepared yearly for residents of Chicago’s Pacific Garden Mission and later Ronald McDonald Houses and the Salvation Army.

Those left to honor his memory are his wife, Bernie; children: Brian Kavanaugh (Julie Koca), and Heather (Jason) Carpenter; Bernie’s children: Doug Carr, Michele Contos, Dennis Carr, Maureen Loomer, and Melanie (Gerry) Hann; grandchildren: Jasmine Kavanaugh, Jackson Kavanaugh, Ellery Kavanaugh, Matthew Carr, Madeline Carr, Isadora Contos, Alessandro Contos, Jackson Loomer, Ava Loomer, Sophia Loomer, Leo Haan, Henry Haan, Olivia Haan, Rose Haan, and Charlie Haan; siblings: Joyce Prado, Karen Kavanaugh (Lawrence Brozek) , and James (Cindy) Kavanaugh; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues.

In addition to his wife, Char, Kevin was preceded in death by his parents. May they rest in peace.