The father and son\u2019s deaths have prompted an outpouring of tributes across social media, particularly from the rotary car community.<\/p>\n
Former partner Melissa Goffin shared an 11-month-old son, Miles, with Kavanaugh.<\/p>\n
She told the Bay of Plenty Times they had recently separated but remained close.<\/p>\n
\u201cMiles lost both of them right before his first birthday \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
She described Kavanaugh as an \u201camazing man\u201d who always put others before himself and never lost sight of what mattered most.<\/p>\n
His children were \u201chis world\u201d, Goffin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe had so much love to give and loved my daughters, our son and myself dearly \u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cI just want them to wake up so I can have more moments with them,\u201d Goffin said. <\/p>\n
Kavanaugh had \u201chard times\u201d throughout his life, but she said he \u201cnever let that bring him down\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe world has lost an amazing loving person and our worlds are now empty.\u201d<\/p>\n
She described Kavanaugh as \u201ca Red Bull man\u201d who \u201cloved the rotary-life car scenes\u201d.<\/p>\n
Former partner Melissa Goffin (left) says Mike Kavanaugh’s children were his world. Their son, Miles, pictured as a 2-month-old baby, is now 11 months old.<\/p>\n
Known for his photography brand Rolling Addiction and his custom miniature-scale car replicas, he built friendships with enthusiasts throughout New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Online tributes described his work as \u201cunreal\u201d, remembered him as a \u201cbrilliant father\u201d and a \u201clegend\u201d and said they would miss seeing him at car meets.<\/p>\n
Others shared memories of Phoenix, recalling how he \u201cloved sitting in all the cars\u201d. One comment said he was becoming \u201csuch a great kid\u201d and was already developing some \u201cserious photography skills\u201d.<\/p>\n
Josh Garvitch met Kavanaugh about a decade ago through their shared passion for photography and motorsport.<\/p>\n
The pair quickly became \u201cfast friends\u201d, Garvitch said.<\/p>\n
Kavanaugh was \u201cincredibly well known and well liked\u201d throughout the car community.<\/p>\n
\u201cMike was the kind of person who was already there and always ready to get in and help anyone and everyone …<\/p>\n
\u201cMike was a great dad and always had his son Phoenix by his side at any opportunity,\u201d Garvitch said.<\/p>\n
One of Garvitch\u2019s favourite memories was Kavanaugh photographing his wedding reception.<\/p>\n
Rather than charging for the job, Kavanaugh offered to do it in exchange for a meal and a box of beers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is one of my dearest memories of him and who he was,\u201d Garvitch said.<\/p>\n
A photograph Kavanaugh gifted to Garvitch of his favourite drifter still hung \u201cproudly\u201d on his wall.<\/p>\n
Friends and family will gather at Baypark Arena on Friday to farewell Mike and Phoenix at 1pm.<\/p>\n
For those wishing to pay their respects, there will be visitation between 1pm and 4pm on Thursday at Elliotts Chapel on Cameron, 414 Cameron Rd, Tauranga (entry on 8th Avenue), a funeral notice for the pair said.<\/p>\n