Bernard C. Cawley (1926-2009)

Published in The Republican on December 9, 2009

Bernard C. Cawley 1926-2009 SPRINGFIELD Bernard C. "Bernie" Cawley, 83, of the Hungry Hill section of Springfield was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, December 8, 2009.

He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on April 19, 1926, a beloved son of the late Robert J. and Catherine M. (Curran) Cawley.

He was a lifelong resident of Springfield and graduated from the Springfield Trade High School in 1943.

He served his country in the United States Navy during World War II and attained the rank of Aviation Ordnanceman Third Class. He received the American Area Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

Following his military service, he played Minor AA baseball for the Boston Red Sox farm team in Milford, DE. He later returned to Springfield and became a firefighter for the City of Springfield. He worked as a firefighter for 33 years and retired in 1981 as a Senior Captain and was well regarded by his fellow firefighters.

He was one of the founding members of the Van Horn Parent's Association, for which he was a longtime baseball coach. He also coached for the American Legion Liberty Post 430 for a number of years.

He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Springfield Fire Department Privates' Association. Bernard was also a 33 year member of the Friends of Bill W., where he made many friends with whom he gave and received support.

Bernard leaves his beloved wife, "his bride", Suzanne E. (Cardin) Cawley. They were married on February 18, 1950 at Holy Name Church in Springfield and were blessed with 59 years of happiness together.

He also leaves his 4 children: David B. Cawley and his wife, Mary P. Cawley of Holland, MA; Patricia S. Quackenbush and her husband, Richard of Florence, MA; Jeffrey M. Cawley and his wife, Ann and Mary D. Shea and her husband, John, all of West Springfield. His 11 cherished grandchildren: Amber P. Haggerty, Summer C. Haggerty, Adem Clemons, Anna Quackenbush, Maggie Quackenbush, Brendan Cawley, Erin Cawley, Hannah Cawley, Padraig "Paddy" Shea, Katie Shea and Tim Shea and his many nephews and nieces.

He was predeceased by his first born son, Jack Cawley, who was Called Home on April 30, 2004 and his brother, Raymond F. Cawley.

His funeral will be held on Friday morning, December 11, 2009 at 8:15 a.m. from the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, (at the corner of Chestnut Street, 2 blocks South of Baystate Medical Center) Springfield, MA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield. His burial will follow the Mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 421 Tinkham Road, Springfield, MA.

His family will receive friends at the funeral home in the Chapin Chapel on Thursday, December 10, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Sacred Heart Church Renovation Fund, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or to the Palmer House Family Council, Attn: Irene Webb, 250 Shearer Street, Palmer, MA 01069.