Obituary of Thomas Cawley Jr.

Thomas Cawley, JR, born in NYC, transitioned peacefully early Tuesday morning, December 12th,2023 surrounded by his loving family. Tom was born in NYC on November 29th, 1936 to Catherine (O’Shea) Cawley (County Clare, Ireland) & Thomas Cawley (County Mayo, Ireland). He is 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 the 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 March 17th, 1993. During his career as a police officer, Tom was a member of the Holy Name Society & the Emerald Society beginning in his rookie year. He served as President of the Emerald Society from 1987-88 and led the NYPD down 5th Ave on St. Patrick’s Day. He also enjoyed a tenured membership at the Knights of Columbus, 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. His wake will be held at the Krauss Funeral Home, 1097 Hempstead Tpke. Franklin Square, NY 11010 on Monday, December 18th, 2023 from 2p-5p, 7p-9p. On Tuesday, December 19th, his funeral will be at Our Lady of Victory RC Church at 9:15AM. Our Lady of Victory is located 1 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 Sheperd Hospice at Mercy Hospital in honor of Tom’s memory. Good Sheperd Hospice Attention: Kim Kranz, President 110 Bi-County Blvd. Farmingdale, NY 11735 631-465-6350 ~OR~ Veteran Organization Honor Flight Long Island 116 Hampton Road South Hampton, NY 11968 631-702-2423