Posted January 27, 2020 00:38:52 Piano player and musician Michael Cavanagh died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday (January 27) after a battle with pancreatic cancer, his family said.

Cavanag, a former Australian National Orchestra member, was 94.

“He was a brilliant, brilliant pianist,” his son Tony said.

“I can’t believe it’s over.”

Cavanach, who had played for the Royal Australian Navy, played with his brothers Peter, Brian and Peter Cavanagy, and the Australian Ballet and was also a member of the Australian Symphony Orchestra.

His son Tony, who plays with the Royal Adelaide Ballet, said his father was “an amazing pianist”.

“He had a big heart, a huge love of music and he would tell you stories of the places he’d seen,” he said.

Peter Cavenagh said his brother and father were “very, very happy”.

“Michael loved to sing and play the piano,” Mr Cavenag said.

The Cavanagos had a son, Michael, and a daughter, Mary, who played the piano with her brother.

Peter said his mother had been “a wonderful person, she was a great mum”.

“She was very much into music, she loved her children and loved the piano and she was the one that got me into the art of piano,” he told the ABC.

“She really took me on.”

Mr Cavanagan, who was born in Adelaide, said he had “a great love for music”.

“I love music so much, I love it so much I’ll do anything to have it,” he added.

“My mum was a wonderful person and it was an amazing experience to be born here.”

The Cavenagues said they had been told the death would be announced on Wednesday.

A family friend told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that Michael Cavenaghan had been suffering from pancreatic inflammation for a long time.

He had not been able to attend the funeral service and was being treated at home.

A statement from the Cavanagers said their hearts went out to Michael’s family and friends.

“Michael had a wonderful life, always giving a lot of love and attention to his family and the wider community,” the statement said.

Michael’s brother Brian said Michael was a “lovely person” who was “always laughing and having fun”.

“My brother and I are deeply saddened to learn that Michael passed away at the age of 94,” he wrote on Twitter.

“We have been told his death will be announced at a later date.

RIP Michael.

A truly talented and wonderful man.”