Former Duggan Academy Principal Michael Calvanese (middle) joined current Principal April Robinson (right) and Director of Intervention Kristine Lessard (left) in honoring former head custodian Dan Kavanagh during the Sept. 4 School Committee meeting.
Photo Credit: Focus Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — The entry driveway at John J. Duggan Academy will soon be named in honor of the school’s former head custodian, Dan Kavanagh.
A longtime resident of Springfield, Kavanagh passed away on July 27 after dedicating 35 years to working for Springfield Public Schools, the final 11 of which were with Duggan Academy.
“Dan was beloved by everyone,” said Mayor Domenic Sarno. “He would go above and beyond.”
According to his obituary, Kavanagh graduated from Classical High School in 1982. He played baseball in his younger days, was an avid golfer and a dedicated board member of the Marconi Club in Springfield.
Kavanagh was remembered at the regular School Committee meeting on Sept. 4, where former Duggan Academy Principal Michael Calvanese described him as a “great man.”
Current Duggan Principal April Robinson and Kristine Lessard, the director of intervention at Duggan Academy, were also in attendance to make comments that honor Kavanagh.
“I’ve worked with Dan for 10 years,” Calvanese said. “Really cared about the kids. Never complained.”
Superintendent Sonia Dinnall said the evidence of Kavanagh’s commitment to the learning community could be seen every time someone walks down the halls of Duggan. She said the building was always kept in “excellent shape” and the floors were always gleaming.
“He was fully committed to Duggan, the children and the staff,” Dinnall said. “He was a leader, a true leader … we thank him for his years of service.”
Before the naming ceremony takes place, Dinnall said a feasibility study will likely occur to ensure that the School Department is aligning with its policy and protocol for the naming honor. Sarno said Kavanagh’s family will be notified when the ceremony’s date is set.
The School Committee unanimously approved the consideration of naming the entry driveway in honor of Kavanagh at its Sept. 4 meeting.
Following that meeting, Duggan made a post on its Facebook page that reflected on Kavanagh’s time with the school.
“We are proud to share that the entry driveway to Duggan Academy will soon be named in Mr. Kavanagh’s honor,” the post said. “He was beloved and so dedicated to making Duggan a better place to go to school.”
