Leo Floyd Cavin

Leo F. Cavin was born 4/12/45 to Helen Singer and Floyd Cavin in Caledonia, MN. He attended school in the township of Freeburg until grade 5 then transferred to St. Mary’s school in Caledonia. In high school he took up playing the guitar which became his lifelong enjoyment. He attended St. Mary’s College in Winona, MN graduating in 1967. While at St. Mary’s Leo played in a rock and roll band at school mixers and other venues, including Mankato, LaCrosse and Chicago. After graduation he joined the army in 1968 and served in Vietnam, where he spent his year patrolling the jungle in the A Shau Valley, very near the DMZ, the border with North Vietnam.

When he finished his service Leo moved to Minneapolis and began his career working at several jobs until finally joining Snap-on Tools. In 1971 he married Molly O'Hearn and soon after moved to Davenport, Iowa where their three daughters were born. In Davenport Leo helped to open a new branch for Snap-on and then started as a sales rep. After 5 years in Davenport he was transferred to Fort Dodge, Iowa to lead his own field group and then finally in 1980 he was promoted to Sales Manager in the Minneapolis branch where he had started. He finished his career as an industrial rep which gave him an opportunity to meet and talk to a large number of customers, some of whom became long time friends. Leo retired from Snap-on after 40 years.

He is survived by his wife, Molly and three daughters; Amy Gerlach (Tim), Katie Weber (Marty) and Sarah Kodadek (Ben) and his sister Mary Cavin Wyatt. He is also survived by his five grandchildren who are his heart and soul. Erin, James and Emily Gerlach, Michael Weber, and Madeline Kodadek.

Leo was very involved with his church, St. Bartholomew in Wayzata, in a variety of roles, predominantly as an usher. He is often remembered by parishioners as the usher who wore a tuxedo to church on Christmas Eve. He served on several committees and at one time managed the adult mixed league softball team. For two years he coached the boys 7th & 8th grade basketball team, even though he didn’t have a son playing on it. For several years he coached the Plymouth Girls Softball Teams that his daughters played on.

In his retirement Leo enjoyed playing his guitar and going to his grandchildren’s games or performances. For 40 years he acted as the welcoming committee in his neighborhood, greeting any new neighbor and helping out where he could. Finally, he enjoyed sitting on his front porch and calling out to the passers by on their walks…..and maybe strumming his guitar…..drinking a Manhattan.

After being asked years ago by a neighbor’s son to help him collect pop tabs, Leo has continued to save the pop tabs on aluminum cans to donate to the Ronald McDonald house which serves Children’s Hospital. We will have a collection box for your pull tabs at his funeral to continue that donation.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners (IOCP) and Park Nicollet Hospice Foundation.

Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 AM Monday, April 25, 2022 at the Church of St. Bartholomew, 630 E. Wayzata Blvd., Wayzata.  Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery.  Visitation 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Sunday, April 24, 2022 at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel of Plymouth, 15800 37th Ave. North, Plymouth and one hour prior to the Mass at the Church.