Obituary of Francis L. "Frank" Cahill

Francis L. Frank Cahill, 86 years, of Peabody, husband of the late M. Alice (Cullen) Cahill, died Thursday morning at the Salem Hospital after a brief illness. Mr. Cahill was born November 22, 1918, in Peabody son of the late Patrick M. and Eva C. (Dooling) Cahill and was a lifelong resident. He was educated and graduated from St. John Preparatory School in Danvers class of 1936 and a graduate of the Boston School of Anatomy and Embalming in Boston in 1939. During WWII, Mr. Cahill served from 1942 - 1945 as a Pharmacist’ s Mate 2nd class aboard the U.S. Navy Hospital Ship Bountiful in the Pacific Theater of Operation. Mr. Cahill was the owner and operator of the P.M. Cahill & Son Funeral Home. In 1983 he formed a partnership with Ben Brodeur and the funeral home was renamed the Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, and since 2000 as the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at 20 Church St. in Peabody, where he had remained active until his recent illness. The funeral home was founded by his father Patrick in 1911 and he worked side-by-side with him until his father’ s death in 1958. Frank was known as a caring, empathic man who provided comfort to many Peabody families. He recently celebrated 65 years as a licensed Funeral Director. He was an active member of St. John the Baptist Church in Peabody, where he served for many years as an usher, Eucharistic Minister, member of the parish council, St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Holy Name Society. Mr. Cahill was also a life member and Past Commander of the American Legion Post 153 and marched in the annual Memorial Day Parade. He was also a life member of the VFW Fidelity Post 1011, K. of C. Leo Council 508 and the A.O.H. Div. 11 all in Peabody. He belonged to the National Funeral Director’ s Association; Massachusetts Funeral Director’ s Association and was Vice President and Treasurer of the former No. Shore Funeral Directors Association. For many years he served as a member of the Board of Director of the George Peabody Co-Operative Bank until 1991. Mr. Cahill is survived by 5 daughters and their husbands, Maureen and George Fogwell of No. Hampton, NH, Ann and Michael O’ Gara of Danvers, Ellen and William Guinee, Julie and Timothy Sullivan all of Topsfield, Kathleen and Charles Lawrence of Peabody; a sister, Evelyn Cronin of Goffstown, NH; 11 grandchildren, Allison and John Lawrence of Peabody, Michael and Megan O’ Gara of Danvers, Mary, William, Katherine and Timothy Guinee, Francis, Julia and Anna Sullivan all of Topsfield; 4 step grandchildren, Christopher Fogwell of PA, Kimberly Fogwell Gay of Hingham, Clinton and Brandon Fogwell of NH; 9 step great grandchildren; a companion, Rita Cahill of Peabody, several nieces, nephews, grand-nephews and grand-nieces. He was pre deceased by his siblings, Anne O’ Rourke, John Cahill, Rev. Eugene Cahill, S.M., Edward Cahill and Paul Cahill. His funeral will be held Monday at 12 p.m. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 20 Church St., Peabody location followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m. in St. John the Baptist Church, 16 Church St., Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Saturday 4 - 7 p.m. and Sunday 3 - 6 p.m. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Salem. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur retirement fund, 30 Jeffrey’ s Neck Rd., Ipswich, MA 01938.