Charles Cawley

City of Grosse Pointe resident Charles G. Cawley, 72, passed away peacefully Friday, May 15, 2020, at home. He was born Oct. 6, 1947, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Commander Max E. and Virginia Dee Cawley.

Charles attended Stephen Decatur High School in Sigonella, Sicily, Italy; he graduated second in his class in 1965. He attended the University of Kansas and graduated from Detroit Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in business finance in 1970.

Charles was retired from a career in commercial mortgage banking.

He is survived by his loving children, Charles Brink Cawley and Laurie Z. Cawley; former wife, Nancy M. Posselius; loving sister, Carolyn Rodewald (the late Clark) of Pennsylvania; and devoted brother, Max E. Cawley Jr. of Idaho. He also is survived by his nieces and nephews, Christopher Knief, Cecilia Dobi, Max Cawley III, Alexander B. Cawley, Bridget Ford, Lindsey Buhl, Wendy Behbehani, Barbara Veverka and Leroy H. Wulfmeier IV; great-nieces, Rosa and Lucia; great-nephews, Henry and Theodore; and extended family members, Marina Cawley, Barbara M. Posselius, Betsy Posselius, John Henry Posselius Jr., Peter Z. Posselius, Mark F. Posselius, Jim and Georgia McKee, Wendy Gallup Pollock and Valerie O’Keeffe-Short. In addition, Charles is survived by lifelong cherished friends, including Rod Luzi, John Quinlan, Gregory Kassab, Robert Phillips and Robert Larson. He was predeceased by his dear friends, Robert Cole and Dennis Egan. Charles always held a special place in his heart for Carol Kassab Reno and the late Carolyn Candi Royer.

Charley traveled around the world as part of his military family. A passionate athlete, he tried out for the Detroit Lions in the late 1960s. He also played softball on Madam Zena’s Crystal Balls team, played squash and racquetball at Detroit Athletic Club and enjoyed boating with family and friends.

His true passion in life was spending time with family and friends; golf was a close second. An avid golfer, Charley often played the Selfridge Air National Guard golf course with family and friends Saturday mornings for more than 50 years or Black River Country Club in Port Huron, where he was a member for several years.

His barbeque skills were incomparable and he loved his golden retriever grand-dogs, Weezy and Lily, with all his heart.

Known as a kind, humorous and generous gentleman and always an optimist, Charley was full of love, positivity, compassion and respect. His infectious smile and laugh will echo in his family’s memories and hearts forever.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family of Charles G. Cawley. Arrangements are entrusted to A.H. Peters Funeral Home, Grosse Pointe Woods.