Thomas J. Cahill, 81, of Dewitt passed away peacefully at home on January 19, 2017 after a lengthy illness. A srevice celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Cross Church, 4112 East Genesee Street, Dewitt, NY.
Calling hours for family and friends will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Burns and Garfield Funeral Home, 3175 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY.
Tom, a son of Dr. James and Alice Cahill, was born on June 26, 1935. He was married to his devoted wife, Nancy (Fitch) for 60 years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law and uncle.
Tom is survived by his wife and four children: Tom Cahill Jr. (Ty) of New York City and West Palm Beach, Fla., Pam Cahill of Fairport, NY, Betsy Sedgwick (Cas), and Patrick Cahill of Rochester, NY and six grandchildren: Connor, Paige and Jordan Harrington, Andrew Wanamaker, and Dylan and Finnegan Cahill. Two brothers also survive him, Edward Cahill (Kathleen) of Bradenton, Fla. and James Cahill Jr. (Patricia) of Skaneateles, NY, as well as several nephews and nieces. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother William Cahill (Christine).
Tom attended Charles Andrews School and Cathedral Academy, and was a graduate of Gilmour Academy, and Syracuse University. Tom spent two years in the United States Army followed by an extensive business career as a contract administrator for Anaren Microwave, Inc.
Family, friends, golf, other sports, and politics were focal points of his life. Tom's friends were special to him, some dating back to grade school and earlier. He was a past president of the Onondaga Golf and Country Club and was part of any early morning group of golfers there, who was the subject of "The Dewsweepers", Seasons of Golf and Friendship." a book written by the nationally prominent golf author James Dotson. Tom was pleased to play many of the finest golf courses in this country, as well as Ireland and Scotland. His interest in politics began as a volunteer for State Senator Tarky Lombard, Jr. In 1971, Tom was elected to a two-year term on the Syracuse Common Council.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hospice of CNY.