Shrewsbury – James William Cawley Sr., 81, passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016 at UMass Medical Center after a brief illness. He was predeceased by Marjorie Anne (Coyle) Cawley, his beloved wife of 48 years, his brother, Thomas Cawley, and sister, Helen Oliver.
He is survived by his loving children, James W. Cawley Jr. and wife Sandra of Shrewsbury, John E. Cawley of Shrewsbury, and Paul J. Cawley of West Boylston; two beloved grandchildren, Thomas Cawley and Kathryn Cawley of Shrewsbury; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
James was born Jan. 18, 1934 in Worcester, the son of the late Thomas J. Cawley and Anne T. (O’Connor) Cawley. He grew up in the Grafton Hill section of Worcester and graduated from St John’s High School in Worcester. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War conflict, and after being honorably discharged, he returned to central Massachusetts to continue his education. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Fitchburg State College and went on to complete his Master’s Degree in Education at Worcester State College.
James was employed by the town of Grafton School system and was an educator in Grafton for over 35 years.
In 1965, he moved his young family to Shrewsbury to be close to Dean Park, where he spent many hours throughout the years coaching his sons’ Shrewsbury Little League baseball teams or being a spectator. He enjoyed telling stories about the “old days” growing up in Worcester and his time in the Marines.
He was a sports enthusiast his entire life and enjoyed watching the Red Sox, Patriots, and premier league soccer with his sons and grandchildren. He was an avid reader and spent hours at book stores and the Shrewsbury Library. He loved the several family dogs over the years and enjoyed driving his Cadillac in his retirement. He was a very easy-going person whom was well liked by all who knew him. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
A calling hour will be held Thursday, Jan. 14, from 9-10:30 a.m., in Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, 648 Main St., Shrewsbury, followed by a funeral Mass celebrated at 11 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, 640 Main St., Shrewsbury. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Boylston Street, Shrewsbury.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of James to the Shrewsbury Library Foundation, 214 Lake St., Shrewsbury, MA 01545, attn: Ellen Dolan.
