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Another Catholic organization he also enjoyed a tenured membership in was the Knights of Columbus. He was a 3rd Degree Knight for many years at the George Hudson Council in Queens, NY, better known to his family as the "The Club". Tom & Mary were parishioners at Resurrection Ascension Church for almost 50 years, where he was an usher as well as a lector, and their 4 children attended "RA" School. Those left to cherish his memories are his 4 children, Anne (Cawley) Devine and her husband Mike, Tom Cawley and his wife Barbara, Kate (Cawley) O'Connell and her husband Steve & Mary Cawley and her partner Ronnie Tedesco. He is also survived by his 9 grandchildren and two sisters-in-law, Margaret Cawley and Patricia Benner, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews. The wake will be held at the Krauss Funeral Home, 1097 Hempstead Tpke. Franklin Square, NY 11010 on Monday, December 18, 2023, from 2pm-5pm and 7pm-9pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, December 19th at 9:15am at Our Lady of Victory, 2 Floral Parkway, Floral Park NY 11001 Burial will be held at Pinelawn Memorial Cemetery immediately following the Funeral Mass. Tom's family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Good Shepherd Hospice at Mercy Hospital in Tom's memory. Good Sheperd Hospice Attention: Kim Kranz, President ~OR~ Veteran Organization
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The NYPD Emerald Society mourns the loss of our Past President Thomas Cawley Jr., at the age of 87. He transitioned peacefully early Tuesday morning, December 12, 2023, surrounded by his loving family, while in hospice care. Tom was born in NYC on November 29, 1936, to Catherine (O'Shea) Cawley (County Clare, Ireland) and Thomas Cawley (County Mayo, Ireland). He was predeceased by his 4 siblings, Patricia (Cawley) Flatley, Helen Cawley, Josephine (Cawley) Mulqueen and John (Jack) Cawley. Tom will be remembered for many accomplishments, including serving in the United States Air Force from 1954-1963. Upon his Honorable Discharge, he returned home and began a short career at the US Post Office as a mail carrier. In 1965 he met Mary Byrnes in Hampton Bays on Long Island. They married on June 18th, 1966, at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, in downtown Manhattan. Soon after they married, Tom joined the NYPD in October of 1966. He was assigned to the Transit Unit, but soon transferred to the "TPF", Tactical Patrol Force, which years later became the "TPU" Tactical Patrol Unit. During these years, he also went to college at night and graduated from John Jay College in 1981. He retired from the NYPD Special Operations Division on a well-planned date of March 17th, 1993. During his career as a police officer, Tom was a member of the Holy Name Society and the Emerald Society beginning in his rookie year. He served as President of the Emerald Society from 1986-1987 after winning a "landslide-election". He certainly enjoyed his duties and responsibilities that came with being the President. Tom proudly led the NYPD Emerald Society contingent up 5th Ave on St. Patrick's Day 1986 with Mayor Ed Koch along with Maureen O'Hara at his sides and the Emerald Pipes and Drums at the forefront of the brigade. All were cheered along the entire route of the world-famous parade, as Tom waved and smiled to the throng of revelers, on the day that it's said, "Everyone is Irish!" Among the other special events that Tom and Mary got to share, along with their children, was the Annual Winter Weekend in the Catskills. The Nevele Hotel was a great escape for the family to enjoy time on the slopes, the ice or indoor hospitality with an Irish Theme the Resort offered. An unforgettable summertime memory occurred when Tom and Mary crossed the broad Atlantic with Aer Lingus to tour the Emerald Isle, he no-doubt cherished the opportunity to visit his ancestral homeland. Tom remained loyal to the organization after his term ended and throughout the ensuing years. He continued attending monthly meetings as well as other offerings. He was very happy when his son Tom was sworn into-the-job and later was appointed to the Board. Tom Cawley will be long remembered and admired by the Emerald Society.
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