Obituary of Thomas J. Cawley

Thomas J Cawley, 86, passed away on February 8th, 2021 at White Plains Hospital.  A resident of Pearl River, NY for 42 years, Thomas was born in County Mayo, Ireland to the late Mary (née Wynne) and Thomas Cawley on January 6th, 1935.  Thomas was a retired NYC police officer, a retired NYC Local 608 carpenter, and the retired handyman of St. Francis of Assisi Church in West Nyack, NY.  He was a truly kind, loving, generous family man, and a great storyteller with a fierce sense of humor.  He loved travelling with his best friend Sandra Woods and they spent a great deal of time with their many friends in Baytown, Texas.  Fishing in Wisconsin was one of his favorite pastimes.  Ireland was his second home, where he made many trips to spend quality time with his family and friends.  Distance had no effect on his close, loving relationships on the Emerald Isle.   

Thomas is survived by his son Thomas Cawley, and companion Dana of Myrtle Beach, SC, daughter Eileen and husband Eamon Kelly of Pearl River, NY, and daughter Catherine Cawley of Pearl River, NY.  He will be sorely missed by his grandchildren, Meghan and husband Kevin McElligott, Caitlyn and husband Matt VanDenburgh, Chelsea and fiancé Jay McDermott, and Erin, Deirdre, Shauna, and Declan Kelly.  His three great grandchildren, Lilli, Cameryn, and Brennan were so lucky to get so much time with him.  He leaves behind his sister, Ann Shanahan of Kings Park, NY and many nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his beloved wife Eileen, his son Michael, his brother James, and his sister Peggy.  

Funeral services will be held at St. Aedan’s Church in Pearl River on Saturday, February 13th at 10am.  Burial will follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Nanuet, NY.  Visitation will be held at the Joseph W. Sorce Funeral Home 728 West Nyack Rd.,  West Nyack, NY 10994 (845) 358-4433 on Friday, February 12th, 2021 from 4-8pm.  

You can view the funeral mass afternoon time with the link below.:

staedan.org/streaming-masses and following the instructions. 

In Lieu of Flowers, Donations may be made in Thomas' name to St. Jude Hospital or United Hospice of Rockland. 

 A Memorial Service and Celebration of Tom’s life will be held at a future date.