David Michael Cagney

David M Cagney, 78 of Ship Bottom passed away peacefully January 15, surrounded by family. Dave was born in Long Branch and raised in Island Heights. He graduated from Toms River High school where he was a member of the varsity football team and the first wrestling team in the shore area.

Dave was a Untied States Army veteran, having served a sixteen month tour in Korea with the 1st Calvary Division. Dave worked in construction with his brother Tim before enlisting in the New Jersey State Police, graduating as part of the 59th class in 1962. Dave moved to Ship Bottom in 1963 where Dave, with the help of his brother Tim, built his family home.

During his career with the NJSP, Dave served at Cape May Courthouse, Mays Landing, Tuckerton, and Division Headquarters Trenton before retiring after 28 years of service at the rank of Lieutenant in 1989. After retirement Dave worked for the New Jersey department of Banking and Insurance and the Division of Criminal Justice.

Dave was a member of the Former Troopers Association, a charter member of the Manahawkin Elks 2340, and the VFW of Beach Haven. Dave was the co-founder and first coach of the Midget Pop Warner Football team in Stafford Township. Dave, Jack Witkowski and Bob Holmes organized the charter later sponsored by the Elks which today operates as the Southern Regional Rams Youth Football organization.

Dave was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He is reunited in Heaven with his wife Elsa (Svelling), sisters Mary Cagney and Pat Osborn, brother Denis Cagney, parents Charles and Lillian Cagney, nephew Tim Osborn, great nephew Richard Osborn Jr. and sister-in-law Greta Purgavie.

Dave is survived by his three cherished daughters, their husbands and his eight wonderful grandchildren. Kristin and Joseph DiPietro and their children Ella, Max and Avery of Stafford Township, Joy and John Stack and their children Riley, Lily and Owen of Pennsylvania, and Lisa and Tripp Dixon and their children Anka and Will of Connecticut . Dave is also survived by his brother Tim Cagney and sister Claire Cagney both of Island Heights, sister Annette Milligan and husband Andy of Toms River and many special nieces and nephews. Dave is also survived by a tremendous amount of lifelong and heartbroken friends.

Loyal, loving, humble, FUNNY, The life of every party, generous to a fault. Santa on the roof, Crazy hats, ripped telephone books, the jitterbug, always there for anyone, the first to volunteer, friend to all, proudest Dad and PopPop ever.

From the mouths of babes: Hero, Amazing, Heartmaker, Super Awesome, Legendary, Extraordinary, Kind, Caring, Best, Welcoming, Cherished, Memorable, Idol, Role Model, Tough, Formidable, Caring, Outstanding, Wonderful, Old School, Adored. As heavy as our hearts are here on earth, listen closely on a quite night as the laughter gets louder and louder in Heaven. Dear God, we pray that you have one heck of a good sense of humor.

Services will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 from 6:00pm-9:00pm at the Thos L. Shinn Funeral Home, 10 Hilliard St. Manahawkin, NJ. A service will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 11:00am at St. Francis Church, Long Beach Island, NJ.

In lieu of flowers please donate to a worthy charity of your choice.

For online condolences, please visit www.shinnfuneralhome.com