Ex-CEO of Great-West mourned as community advocate

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This article was published 22/06/2020 (2273 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Kevin Kavanagh was the head of one of the province’s largest companies, but he was also a leader in both education and the arts.

Kavanagh, the president and CEO of Great-West Life Assurance from 1979 to 1992, died on June 15. He was 87.

Winnipeg South Centre MP Jim Carr, who is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s special representative to the Prairies, said Kavanagh was “a wonderful man and a close and dear friend.

“It is a real loss, not only for those who knew him, but for so many people in the community, and not just Winnipeg and Manitoba… this community has lost a great citizen, a gentleman and scholar with intellect, and a gentleman with a great heart.”

Carr said not only were Kavanagh’s business and philanthropic accomplishments stellar, but his marriage of almost six decades to Els “was a model for so many about the power of partnership”.

In a statement, Premier Brian Pallister said Kavanagh “left an indelible mark on every corner of our province. His vision, leadership and compassion made a positive difference in the lives of countless Manitobans, myself included.

“Kevin was a stimulating conversationalist and a true leader. His stern demeanour belied an unparallelled sense of humour and wit. I join all Manitobans in expressing my condolences to his widow, Els, and to his children, grandsons and many friends who will miss his unwavering friendship and thoughtful guidance.”

Kavanagh was born in Brandon and at 17 moved to Winnipeg to go to the University of Manitoba for a commerce degree and to join the Royal Canadian Naval reserve.

After graduating, Kavanagh joined Great-West Life Assurance in 1953 and rose to be appointed president and CEO in 1979, and was a member of the board of directors until 2009.

“This community has lost a great citizen, a gentleman and scholar with intellect, and a gentleman with a great heart.” –MP Jim Carr

Kavanagh served as chancellor of Brandon University from 1996 to 2002, and, in the early 2000s, he and his wife were honourary campaign chairs of the BU and You campaign, the university’s most successful fundraising initiative up to that time. The university thanked them by awarding them its Apex Award, presented to outstanding fundraisers, as well as naming the Kavanagh Courtyard in their honour.

In a statement, Brandon University president David Docherty said Kavanagh’s “contributions and connections with Brandon University extend over decades and are among the most significant in our history.

“Our sincere condolences go to his family.”

Kavanagh also served on numerous boards including the Conference Board of Canada, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Banff Centre for Arts, and he was also the Asper School of Business executive in residence. He was a member of the Roblin Commission on post-secondary education in 1993, which recommended doubling enrolment at the province’s community colleges.

Kavanagh was named to the Order of Canada in 2002 for his time as president and CEO at Great-West Life Assurance, but also because “he has given generously of his time and expertise to many community causes, in particular to higher education and the arts.”

He was named to the Order of Manitoba in 2009, and received a degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Manitoba in 1990.

Besides his wife Els, Kavanagh is survived by his children, Sean and Jennifer, and two grandsons.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca