Capt. James Francis Gavin

- Ret. Capt. James Francis Gavin, USN, 86, of 5 Barbara Street Newport, died Tuesday, September 10, 2002 at Village House Newport, RI. He was the husband of Gertrude Newman Gavin of Newport. Born in Boston, MA on September 4, 1916, he was the son of the late James F. and Adeline McGinley Gavin.Capt. Gavin was raised in Albany, New York. Capt. Gavin graduated in 1937 from Holy Cross College, in Worcester, MA. Capt. Gavin enlisted in the United States Navy in 1941. During World War II he spent three years on the U.S.S. Hogan, participating in the invasion of North Africa and received one battle star. He was engaged in many of the battles in the Pacific, receiving five battle stars in the Pacific Theater and two battle stars in the Phillipine Liberation. During the Korean Conflict he was aide and flag secretary to Commander Mine Forces, Pacific Fleet from 1950 to 1952, from 1952 to 1955 he was Executive Officer of the U.S.S. Gatling, from 1955 to 1958 he was in the Bureau of Naval Personnel, from 1958 to 1960 he was Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. William R. Rush, from 1961 to 1962 he was Commander of the Destroyer Squadron Eight, from 1962 to 1964 he was Staff Commander of the Cruiser Destroyer Force, Atlantic Fleet, from 1964 to 1966 Bureau of Naval Personnel. Capt. Gavin retired from the Navy in 1966. After retiring from the Navy he became the Executive Director of the Batttleship Massachusetts from 1966 to 1970, he was on the board of directors of the U.S.S. Massachusetts Memorial from 1966 to 1997, from 1970 to 1973 he was the executive director of the Newport County Law Enforcement Commission. From 1973 to 1979 Capt. Gavin was field representive of the Rhode Island Governors Justice Commission. He was a volunteer for many years from 1979 to 1998 both at the Newport Hospital and the St. Josephs Soup Kitchen, Capt. Gavin was a 3rd degree member of the Newport Council Knights of Columbus, he was a lector and eucharistic minister at St. Joseph?s Church, where he served on the Parish Council for many years and had served as Council President. In 1995 Capt. Gavin was volunteer of the year at Newport Hospital. Capt. Gavin was founder and 1st president of the ?Tin Can Sailors? organization in the 1980?s. Capt. Gavin was alumni of Holy Cross and was awarded the crusader of the year. Capt. Gavin was president of Holy Cross Club of Rhode Island. Capt. Gavin enjoyed sports and was an avid Red Sox?s fan, swimming and his family. Capt. Gavin was a member of the Fraternal Order Of Police Auxillary. Besides his wife of 60 years he is survived by two sons James F. Gavin Jr. of Madison, IN, and Kevin P. Gavin of Portsmouth, RI, three daughters Judith Gleason of Charlestown, RI, Kathleen Randall of Taunton, MA, and Karen Gavin of North Kingstown, RI, twelve grandchildren, Courtney Gavin, Christopher Gavin, Caitlin Gavin, Casey Gavin, Alison Gavin, Andrew Gavin, James F. Gavin III, Juliette Randall, Dylan Randall, Michael Gleason, Jennifer Gleason and Maura Gleason and one great grandson Carson Gavin.He was the brother of the late Franklin P. Gavin and J. Robert Gavin.His funeral will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2002, at 9:00 AM from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 AM in St. Josephs Church, Broadway And Mann Avenue, Newport. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 245 Waterman Street, Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906..