Barry John Cavanaugh

Divisions Served: “K”

Pillar Location: Pillar X, Row 13, Column C

Story: 

On passing out from Depot Division in December 1966, the proudest moment of my life till then, I was posted to K Division, Alberta, first to Edmonton Guardroom, and shortly after to Smoky Lake Detachment, after which I served on Redwater and Fort Saskatchewan Highway Patrols.

I transferred to Edmonton Detachment after that, and began part-time studies at University of Alberta. In 1973, I resigned from the Force and took up full time studies towards my Bachelor of Arts degree, transferring into the Faculty of Law at University of Saskatchewan in 1974, and transferring to the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in 1975 and graduating with an LL.B. degree in 1977. Following articles to the Director of Criminal Justice for Alberta, I practiced law in St. Paul, Alberta, leaving practice in 1981 to take up the role of Executive Director of the Legal Aid Society of Alberta in 1981. In 1986, I returned to private practice in litigation, still in Edmonton, until I took up the role of Executive Director of the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, in Vancouver in 1996.

I returned to Edmonton in association management in 2000 as Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel for, first, the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association, and finally, the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals. During the course of my career, I served as Trustee of the Edmonton Catholic School District, President of Alberta Division and Director of the National Board of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Chair of National Advocacy for the Canadian Diabetes Association, President of the Edmonton Street Performers Festival, the Public Foundation for Art and Life, and as Chair of the City of Edmonton Community Services Advisory Board. I take great pride in my service in the RCMP, and my faith still stands with those with whom I served.