William Reid Kavanagh, 82, of Simsbury, beloved husband of Margaret S. H. (Gibson) Kavanagh, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at John Dempsey Hospital. He was born on December 25, 1936 in Torphins, Scotland, son of the late Alexander and Elsie (Hamilton) Kavanagh and previously lived in Dollar, Scotland prior to moving to Simsbury 36 years ago. He was his class Valedictorian at Morrison’s Academy in Crieff, Scotland and was a Lieutenant in the British Navy where he was a Navigator on Gannet’s and helicopters. Mr. Kavanagh was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Veeder-Root, Co. for many years prior to his retirement. He was a member of Simsbury Farms Golf Club. In addition to golf, William was an avid reader and loved anything to do with aviation and he also collected stamps. William was both proud and honored to have met Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in May of 1957 and received a beautiful plate to commemorate the occasion of her visit to the Home Fleet. In addition to his loving wife of 59 years, he is survived by three daughters, Susan Zionts of Windsor, CT, Jane Scott of Gleneagles, Scotland (Dale Scott) and Laura May of Auchterarder, Scotland and two grandchildren, Benjamin Zionts of Longmont, CO and Max Zionts of Windsor, CT (who affectionately called him “Grumpa”). He was predeceased by a son-in-law, George May. His family will receive friends at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury on Monday, November 4th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Services will be private. His final resting place will be in the hills of Scotland. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please visit William’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.