Joseph J. Cauley

Joseph James Cauley, “Uncle Joe,” of Pompano Beach, FL, entered peacefully into rest on February 8, 2025, at age 92. Beloved son of the late Thomas P. and Alice G. (nee Gedge) Cauley; cherished brother of Joan (late James) Hurley, Ronald (Carlotta) Cauley, and the late Patricia Cauley, Kathleen (Tad) Keenan, Mary Ellen Cauley, Thomas P. Cauley Jr. (Jean), John Cauley (Lois), and Sister Rose Mary Cauley GNSH; devoted uncle of: Thomas P. Jr., Michael, Christopher, Patrick, Terence, Kathleen, Moira, Matthew and Francis Keenan; Mary Begley, Kathleen, James G. Jr. and Alice Hurley; Kimberly McGinty (late), Thomas P. III (late), Christopher and Patrick Cauley; Laureen Cauley, Colleen Broaddrick, John M. Jr. (late) and Daniel Cauley (late); and Ronald R. Jr. and Cynthia Cauley. He was also beloved “Uncle Joe” to the children, grandchildren and partners of his 23 nieces and nephews and to many Thunder Bay friends of the Cauley clan. A Buffalo native, he graduated from St. Mark School and Bennett High School. A US Army veteran, Joe returned from his tour of duty in Korea to graduate from Buffalo State College. He joined his father in building Florida apartments during the 1960s. He then worked construction jobs, and retired to become a kitchen and Tootsie Roll drive volunteer for over forty years with the Pompano Beach Knights of Columbus. He volunteered many summers as a camp counselor at an overnight camp for adults with disabilities run by Sister Rosie Cauley GNSH. He was also a strong supporter of TASC Niagara, a Canadian non-profit organization that provides musical, dramatic and social opportunities for people with disabilities and their families. Although never married, Joe was everyone’s favorite uncle. His extended family visited him often in Florida and cherish memories of time spent fishing, gardening, biking, porch sitting, golfing and playing tennis and dominos at the family summer home at Thunder Bay, Ridgeway, Ontario. Joe loved life, often breaking into a moving rendition of “The Impossible Dream” at a social gathering. He always had an amusing story to tell and was the most loyal friend anyone could have. He hosted St Mark’s kindergarten reunions well into his eighties, never forgetting his classmates and friends. His greatest tribute, according to family members, was that whenever the generations of nieces and nephews were asked what they wanted to be when they grew up, the answer was “Uncle Joe.” Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Saturday, July 19, St. Mark Church, 401 Woodward Avenue, Buffalo, NY at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Flowers gratefully declined. Arrangements by Dengler, Roberts, Perna Funeral Home, 3070 Delaware Ave., Kenmore, NY.