Lynn District court bids farewell to assistant clerk Cavanagh

LYNN – The typically hectic Lynn District Courthouse all but shut down for 30 minutes Monday while the staff said goodbye to long-time Assistant Clerk John J. “Jack” Cavanagh.?I?ve been in this building for 30 years,” said Cavanagh, who turned 60 on Sunday. “We have a home up in Hampton Beach so I?ll be spending a lot of time up there [now.]”Most departments shut down and court proceedings were delayed after lunch as employees gathered in an upstairs courtroom to share memories of Cavanagh and wish him well.?He never shied away from a challenge,” said Clerk Magistrate Jane Brady Stirgwolt. “As trial courts changed and technology changed, he understood the changes and dealt with them.”A steady stream of court workers approached Cavanagh to shake his hand following a set of speeches by co-workers and friends, but many paid more attention to the girl at his side, a 12-year-old cocker spaniel named Lady who frequently went to work with him at the courthouse.Lady wore a red ruffled dress for the occasion.Stirgwolt said Cavanagh will not be immediately replaced because of a hard hiring freeze placed on the department, but brushed off concerns that the notoriously busy courthouse would struggle with one less assistant clerk.?It?ll be busier, but we have a wonderful staff and I?m sure they?ll be able to handle it,” Stirgwolt said.The remaining four assistant clerks are William Casey, Daniel Day, John Fleming and Andrew M. Padellaro.Several employees emerged from the courtroom clutching tissues and wiping their eyes..?No words can describe how we all feel,” said Donna Allen, who works in the clerk?s office. “He was the best.”Taylor Provost can be reached at [email protected].