Timothy Damien Kavanagh

Timothy Damien Kavanagh (Feb. 13, 1955 - May 15, 2024)

Timothy Damien Kavanagh, 69, of Estacada passed away unexpectedly on May 15, 2024.

Tim was born on Feb. 13, 1955 in Los Angeles, Calif., to Walter Eugene Kavanagh and Dorothea Williams Kavanagh, who both died in April 2012.

He graduated in 1973 from University High School in Irvine, Calif., and earned his bachelor's degree with a major in engineering from Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Calif.

Tim and Vickie Lynn (Hippler) Kavanagh were married on Oct. 11, 1986, in Irvine, Calif. They moved to Oregon in Sept. 1988.

Tim worked at Tosoh Scientific Glass Blowing of Portland from July 1990 until he retired in 2017.

Tim learned how to sculpt glass as a teenager. He was renowned for his flowers, napkin rings, dolphins, swans, Disney and other characters, and just about every type of animal. He sold his wares at craft fairs and farmers markets in California and later in Portland. And most of his family and friends have at least one of his creations on display.

Paintings, stained glass, picture frames, shelving units and outdoor decks created by Tim adorned their homes, and the homes of others. Hobbies also included photography and cooking. And he was a whiz at trivia.

Tim designed and built booths for an annual chili cook-off that his friends competed in in Orange County, Calif. Visitors were served samples through a booth-sized papier-mache creation of the Rolling Stones signature lips and tongue one year and through a Groucho Marx nose and glasses another. A local winery offered to sponsor his chili gang one year and gushed over the booth that resembled their wine-tasting room. At least one of Tim’s booths was featured in the newspaper. Tim and Vickie met years earlier through mutual friends, but fell in love during one of these events and married six months later.

A master craftsman, Tim completely renovated their first home in Gresham, where they lived for 26 years. But he was ready to retire most of his tools when they moved into a brand new home in Estacada in 2020. Neighbors at both homes complimented Tim for having such a well-manicured yard.

The self-described introvert hosted an annual “Survivor” themed-event in their Gresham backyard. He wrote the scripts and created the games, props and decorations for KavKid Island and sculpted a glass island for each annual winner. He provided instruction and supplies for tie-dying parties during annual multi-family camping excursions. And Fourth of July celebration guests were treated to $350 firework extravaganzas constructed by Tim. The party planner provided fun games and entertainment for Gresham Soroptimist retreats and numerous family and friends gatherings.

Tim and Vickie shared a passion for movies, especially the old black and white classics, romantic comedies and stories about heroes. Tim’s 300+ DVD library also includes westerns, action adventures, fantasies and thrillers. He was an avid fan of shows about nature, astronomy, astrophysics and anything science. He loved playing vinyls on his 50-year-old turntable and produced his own CDs. The Kavanaghs’ favorite getaway was Chinook Winds, a resort that overlooks the beach and features comedy shows, concerts, restaurants and casinos. Their bucket list included visiting as many national parks as possible.

Tim was a romantic. He held Vickie’s hand during their walks, danced with her during their favorite songs, and left love notes by her morning coffee cup. He greeted every day as an adventure with a mantra of: “I love our home and our life” and “I can’t believe we are getting away with this!”

Tim was a kind, sweet, generous, friendly, and highly-principled man with an awesome sense of humor. Friends and family describe him as a jokester and as the guy who always made them laugh. Tim often said that his goal was to “make people smile.” And he did.

He is survived by sister, Kathleen Eckhoff of Depoe Bay, Ore.; brother, Kevin Kavanagh, and sister-in-law, Kathy Kavanagh, of Carson, Calif.; sister Mary Puccio, and brother-in-law, Gary Puccio, of Houston, Texas; brother, Gerald Kavanagh of Houston, Texas; and sister, Peggy Kuckenbaker of Willow Springs, Missouri; as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

Tim is also survived by brother-in-law, Harold “Joe” Howard Hippler III, and sister-in-law, Kelly, of Oregon City; sister-in-law, Dori Hippler Miles of Sandy; nephew, Harold “Jack” Howard Hippler IV, and his wife, Alexis, of Milwaukie; nephew, Jared Patrick Hippler, and his wife, Taylor, of Tigard; and niece, Sarah Jean Hippler of Oregon City.

Tim was preceded in death by his father-in-law and best friend, Harold “Red” Howard Hippler Jr., and mother-in-law, Nancy Reinberg Hippler, of Oregon City; brother-in-law, Andrew Vincent Hippler, of Ridgefield, Wash.; and stepmother, Patricia Kavanagh, of Hawaii.