Obituary for Peter Cavanaugh
Radio influencer and rock ’n roll legend Peter Lawrence Cavanaugh (aka Peter C.) died peacefully August 13, 2021, in Sharonville, Ohio, just a few weeks before his 80th birthday.
A pioneer in rock ’n roll radio, Peter enjoyed a 58% total audience share on his hometown station, WNDR in Syracuse, New York, when he was only 16 years old. He worked full time as a disc jockey while pursuing his bachelors degree in Political Science at LeMoyne University in Syracuse, then married his high school sweetheart, Eileen, on May 23, 1964.
The two moved to Flint, Michigan, where he continued his pursuits and pleasures as a Local DJ. He worked the morning show at WTAC, and enjoyed bringing new music to the airwaves, being the first to play AC/DC and The Who on the radio in the United States. Also known for his “Wild Wednesday” events at Sherwood Forest, Peter C. produced hundreds of concerts for world-renown rock n’ roll bands including Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, Kiss, and more.
A natural leader with contagious enthusiasm, Peter transitioned off the air and into radio management, serving as general manager of WTAC. In 1977 he moved to Reams Broadcasting, where he worked as general manager for WWCK FM-105 in Flint, Michigan, and also hosted his “Sunday 60s” radio show each Sunday morning.
In 1983, Reams Broadcasting promoted him to Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President of their seven record-breaking radio stations, including WIOT FM-104 in Toledo, Ohio, and with that came a move to Perrysburg, Ohio, where the Cavanaughs lived until 1998.
The Cavanaughs spent time in Youngstown, Ohio, and Clarkston, Michigan, then moved to Oakhurst, California, just outside of Yosemite National Park, in 2006. They lived in Oakhurst for the next 13 years, where Peter wrote hundreds of articles for the Sierra Star as a local columnist, was an active member of the Mountain Democrats Club, and enjoyed daily walks up and down the mountain behind his home.
The Cavanaughs moved to the Cincinnati area in 2019 to be closer to family, and have resided there ever since.
Peter chronicled many of his rock ’n roll tales and legends in his book, Local DJ, which is still in publication. His writings can also be found at petercavanaugh.com. A gifted wordsmith and public speaker, he’s best known for his saying, “It’s all in how you look at it, it’s all in how you study it,” and the enthusiastic “Rock N Roll!” he exclaimed at the end of many conversations.
He was born on September 8, 1941, in Syracuse, New York to Donald and Isabelle Cavanaugh, and is preceded in death by his parents. Peter is survived by his wife of 57 years, Eileen and their four daughters: Laurie (Paul) Thome of Beechgrove, TN; Colleen Pyron of Middletown, OH; Candace (Jeff) Buehner of Beverly Hills, MI; and Susan (Rich) Seiling of Murfreesboro, TN. He found great joy in his dozen grandchildren: Katherine (Patrick) Martin; Cooper, Owen and Elise Thome; William, JC, and Dylan Pyron; Vincent and Max Buehner; and Allison, Asher, and Isaac Seiling; as well as three great-grandchildren: Jane, Callum, and Orson Martin. He also leaves behind his treasured brother and best friend, Paul (Cindy) Cavanaugh and their children Matthew Cavanaugh, Kelly (Rob) Myhill and baby Myles; as well as many other beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Since Peter C. lived in many cities, and touched so many lives, memorial details are pending. We will post details as they become available on Peter’s Facebook page.
A pioneer in rock ’n roll radio, Peter enjoyed a 58% total audience share on his hometown station, WNDR in Syracuse, New York, when he was only 16 years old. He worked full time as a disc jockey while pursuing his bachelors degree in Political Science at LeMoyne University in Syracuse, then married his high school sweetheart, Eileen, on May 23, 1964.
The two moved to Flint, Michigan, where he continued his pursuits and pleasures as a Local DJ. He worked the morning show at WTAC, and enjoyed bringing new music to the airwaves, being the first to play AC/DC and The Who on the radio in the United States. Also known for his “Wild Wednesday” events at Sherwood Forest, Peter C. produced hundreds of concerts for world-renown rock n’ roll bands including Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, Kiss, and more.
A natural leader with contagious enthusiasm, Peter transitioned off the air and into radio management, serving as general manager of WTAC. In 1977 he moved to Reams Broadcasting, where he worked as general manager for WWCK FM-105 in Flint, Michigan, and also hosted his “Sunday 60s” radio show each Sunday morning.
In 1983, Reams Broadcasting promoted him to Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President of their seven record-breaking radio stations, including WIOT FM-104 in Toledo, Ohio, and with that came a move to Perrysburg, Ohio, where the Cavanaughs lived until 1998.
The Cavanaughs spent time in Youngstown, Ohio, and Clarkston, Michigan, then moved to Oakhurst, California, just outside of Yosemite National Park, in 2006. They lived in Oakhurst for the next 13 years, where Peter wrote hundreds of articles for the Sierra Star as a local columnist, was an active member of the Mountain Democrats Club, and enjoyed daily walks up and down the mountain behind his home.
The Cavanaughs moved to the Cincinnati area in 2019 to be closer to family, and have resided there ever since.
Peter chronicled many of his rock ’n roll tales and legends in his book, Local DJ, which is still in publication. His writings can also be found at petercavanaugh.com. A gifted wordsmith and public speaker, he’s best known for his saying, “It’s all in how you look at it, it’s all in how you study it,” and the enthusiastic “Rock N Roll!” he exclaimed at the end of many conversations.
He was born on September 8, 1941, in Syracuse, New York to Donald and Isabelle Cavanaugh, and is preceded in death by his parents. Peter is survived by his wife of 57 years, Eileen and their four daughters: Laurie (Paul) Thome of Beechgrove, TN; Colleen Pyron of Middletown, OH; Candace (Jeff) Buehner of Beverly Hills, MI; and Susan (Rich) Seiling of Murfreesboro, TN. He found great joy in his dozen grandchildren: Katherine (Patrick) Martin; Cooper, Owen and Elise Thome; William, JC, and Dylan Pyron; Vincent and Max Buehner; and Allison, Asher, and Isaac Seiling; as well as three great-grandchildren: Jane, Callum, and Orson Martin. He also leaves behind his treasured brother and best friend, Paul (Cindy) Cavanaugh and their children Matthew Cavanaugh, Kelly (Rob) Myhill and baby Myles; as well as many other beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Since Peter C. lived in many cities, and touched so many lives, memorial details are pending. We will post details as they become available on Peter’s Facebook page.