Martin E Cawley

Martin E. Cawley, age 85, of Arlington Heights, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2025. Born on July 31, 1940 in Chicago to the late John and Katherine (nee Muldoon) Cawley. Martin lived a full and generous life marked by faith, family, and service to his community. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Martin was the beloved husband of the late Janice (nee Dellert) Cawley for 57 cherished years. He was the devoted father of Elizabeth (Peter) Giarelli, Kevin Cawley, and Kathleen (Daniel) Dolan; proud grandfather of Matthew (Kelly) Giarelli, Mark (Caroline) Giarelli, Megan (Tyler) Belmont, Zachary (Robyn Wall) Dolan, and Brianna (Nicholas) Adamczyk; and joyful great-grandfather to Gia Belmont, with another great-grandchild eagerly expected. He is preceded in death by his wife, Janice, and his siblings Eileen (Ted) Collyer, Peggy (Jack) Considine, and the Reverend John Cawley.

A proud son of Chicago’s northwest side, Marty attended St. Genevieve Grade School, DePaul Academy, and DePaul University. It was during his high school years that he met Janice, his high school sweetheart. After several years of courtship, they were united in marriage in 1963 at Queen of All Saints Basilica and built a beautiful life together rooted in love and shared faith.

Marty began his career as an ironworker for Gateway Construction and then became a superintendent. He was with Gateway Construction for 45 years and oversaw hundreds of construction projects all over the Chicagoland area.

Marty’s commitment to community was lifelong and legendary. An active and passionate volunteer in Arlington Heights, he served with distinction as a Village Trustee. Among his proudest achievements was his leadership as President of the Surrey Ridge Civic Association, a role that took him to Washington D.C., where he successfully advocated for the land that became the beloved Arlington Lakes Golf Course.

Beyond public service, Marty found his greatest joy surrounded by family and friends at the lake house, fixing whatever needed fixing for neighbors and loved ones, and opening his home to countless relatives visiting from Ireland-a celebration of the heritage he held dear.

Marty Cawley leaves behind a legacy of kindness, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion to family and community. He will be greatly missed, but his spirit lives on in every life he touched.

Visitation will be on Thursday, November 20, 2025 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60004. On Friday, November 21, 2025 there will be a visitation at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church, 434 W. Park St., Arlington Heights, IL 60005 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM. The funeral mass will start at 11:00 AM at church. Interment will follow at All Saints Catholic Cemetery.