Veterans from anywhere and everywhere, as well as family, neighbors and friends came out in huge numbers last week to remember and mourn the loss of American Legion Post 1711 Commander Joseph F. Kavanagh, who died on May 30.

Kavanagh, who served as commander of the American Legion at some point in each of the last five decades, since the '60s, was a veteran of the Korean War. For nearly 50 years Kavanagh led off Levittown's annual Memorial Day Parade, serving as one of the chairmen of the parade.

In addition to the American Legion, Kavanagh served as the president of the Levittown-Island Trees Veteran Council for almost a decade before turning the reins over to Dennis Dunne, who he once coached in Little League. Other veteran's organizations that Kavanagh belonged to include the American Legion 40 and 8; Nassau County Chapter 117 of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV); and at one time the Amityville VFW, where his brother-in-law was commander.

On Thursday night, the American Legion held a Veteran's Service, where they were joined in remembering their commander by members of the VFW, the Korean War Veterans, the Pearl Harbor Survivors, and many others. The hall was filled as veterans paid their last respects to a man who had brought so much to veterans' organizations.

Kavanagh was honored, not only by veterans, but by priests from various churches and the police and fire departments, who knew him from marching in the parade that he ran. Kavanagh's funeral was held at Holy Family Church, but Father Tom McCormick from St. Bernard's spoke at his wake one evening and Father Tom Hartman from The God Squad, did a service the following afternoon. Although he wasn't a fireman, because of his role in the community, the Levittown Fire Department extended their ladders in a fireman's salute to Kavanagh the day of the funeral. The funeral procession also had a police escort to the Nassau County border on the way to Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn. At the funeral Kavanagh was remembered as bagpipes played and a bugler played Taps. He was also honored by the Marine Corps Firing Squad.

The life of Joe Kavanagh is one that will be remembered by many in Levittown because of all that he brought to the community. He was one of the men responsible for creating Levittown's Veteran Park, by the library, he helped arrange for nursing scholarships to be given out through the American Legion, and he built all the extensions on the American Legion Hall.

Kavanagh is remembered by friends as a history buff who was always willing to share his knowledge and his help. "He would give you the shirt off his back," said Dunne. "He was just a wonderful man and did so much for the post. It was a tremendous loss for Levittown."

Kavanagh is survived by his wife Joan. He is the father of Joann Beattie, John, James, and the late Joseph; father-in-law of Kevin, Ann Marie and Lisa; the grandfather of Shawn, Jessica, Brian, Thomas, James, Joseph, and Blaise; and the brother of Carolyn, Marion, and Kathy.