Thomas Joseph Cawley

Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)

June 3, 1941 – July 19, 2021

Tom died on 19 July 2021 surrounded by his family. He had begun a gradual decline a few months ago and had two recent hospitalizations. We owe a debt of gratitude to the staff at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville who cared for him during his stay.

When people ask me how he died, I like to answer, “… of a life well-lived.” He loved God. Country, family, and Friends. He loved music, art, the theater, movies, books, history, travel, good food and good wine. Oh, and don’t forget, “Fox News”. He was happiest with family and friends, sharing good times and bad, debating the “finer points” (whatever they might be), Talking, laughing, and reminiscing.

An Army Captain and an Air Force Brat met in a Coffee Shop on 13 September 1966, introduced by a mutual friend, who later became his best man. They were married at the Main Post Chapel, Fort Belvoir, VA on 12 November 1966. What was a short engagement led to a marriage of 54 years, through good times and bad, sharing great joys and deep sorrows, but always, always, together.

He entered military service through the Army ROTC program at the University of Scranton, Scranton, PA, in 1966 as a 2nd lieutenant. 30 years later he retired as a colonel, Director of Information Management, at the Military Academy at West Point, NY. His tours of duty included Ft Belvoir, Vietnam, the Pentagon, MELPAR and MILPERCEN in VA; and three tours of duty in Karlsruhe, Kaiserslautern, and Heidelberg, Germany.

After retirement, he served ten years as the Chief Information Officer, University of CT Health Center, Farmington, CT. This second retirement brought us to Jacksonville, FL for the next 18 years.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; his daughters Danielle Cawley and Noel Cawley (Doug Pearsall); his son Tom (Maureen); granddaughters Katie, Maggie, and Amelia Cawley: grandsons Brian Cawley, Aidan Burtner-Cawley, and Andrew Place-Burtner.

Memorial donations may be made to the “Tunnel to Towers Foundation” or the “Wounded Warrior Project” in lieu of Flowers.

A memorial service officiated by Fr. William Kelly, will be held on Tuesday, 27 July 2021 at 1 PM, Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

The family will receive friends at 12:30 pm at the funeral home.

Arrangement are under the care and direction of HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME In Jacksonville Beach FL.