Saturday, February 4, 2012

Richard T. Cahill Sr. 1932 - 2012

My father passed away peacefully last night surrounded by his family. He had turned 80 just a few days ago.

Dad was an incredible man. He gave up his dream of being a lawyer because his father took ill. Dad felt it was his responsibility to go to work and support the family. Any time I ever spoke of what he had done, he always said he did not think it was such a big deal. He usually said something like, "Of course I did. What kind of person wouldn't help their mother?"

Later, he was drafted, but received a hardship deferment. A few years later, when his Dad felt well enough to work, Dad decided that he should serve his country since he had been drafted. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for the next 4 years.

Dad returned to Kingston after his tour of duty. By then, his father had fallen ill again, so he found work and resumed his role as primary supporter of the family. He eventually met my mother and they were married in less than a year. Dad cared for my mother and his own mother in a way that taught me tremendously without him actually saying a word.

Dad never got the opportunity to pursue his dream of being a lawyer. Instead, he worked hard to provide for my mother, me, and my 2 sisters. He put us through college and gave us the opportunities he missed out on. Today, I am a successful attorney. I would not have been able to do so without Dad and my mother working so hard. I try to remember that in all that I do.

Over the past week, people have been very kind to my family and me. We appreciate the phone calls, e-mails, blog postings, Facebook messages, and people just saying hello on the street. It helped make a terrible time a little easier to bear.

10 comments:

Jeanette Provenzano said...

Rich, I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Condolences to you and yours. The look on his face when you were together showed just how proud he was of you . . .

Anonymous said...

Rich, We were so saddened by the passing of your dad.we remembered him from the Monday telecasts. Our condolences and prayers are with you and your family at this time.

Richard T. Cahill Jr. said...

Thanks, Jeanette.

Ralph Mitchell said...

It was an honor to have met and spoken with your father. God Bless Him.

TheRedDogParty.com said...

Hi Rich - While I only met your father briefly several times this passed election cycle, it was always a pleasure to see you and him together.

I am truly sorry for your loss, and I'm sure your father will continue to be an inspiration for you and your family and friends.

Go well, Steve Ladin and Jonesy--

Bd said...

Rich,

Condolences from the Heart,

Your Dad was a hoot to be around,, He had me in stitches @ the GOP Convention last year,,
One of a kind & we won't see his like again.
That generation still is teaching us how to live & exist in a fractured society like we live in today.
Glad to have known him ,, even if only for a little while.

YOU were lucky to have him.
Olev Hashalom.

Bd

Len B said...

DEATH~
WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO EXPLAIN IT ..  
A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to  
Leave the examination room and said,  
'Doctor, I am afraid to die.  
Tell me what lies on the other side..'  
Very quietly, the doctor said, 'I don't know..'  
'You don't know?  You're, a Christian man,  
and don't know what's on the other side?'  
The doctor was holding the handle of the door;  
On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining,  
And as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room  
And leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.  
Turning to the patient, the doctor said,  
'Did you notice my dog?  
He's never been in this room before.  
He didn't know what was inside.  
He knew nothing except that his master was here,  
And when the door opened,  he sprang in without fear.  
I know little of what is on the other side of death,  
But I do know one thing...  
I know my Master is there and that is enough.'  

Elisa Ball said...

Rich,
I am so sorry to hear about your father passing. I will miss hearing his stories about Kingston and I will miss his smile.

Ulster is Your Town Too said...

Sorry for your loss, RIch, take heart he will be remembered as a man of conviction and character, young men and women did and will still learn alot from his example!