JOSEPH MICHAEL CAHILL

1929-2018

JOSEPH (JOE) MICHAEL CAHILL, 88, passed away on Feb. 24 in Houston. Joe was a devoted husband, caring father and a retired oil executive. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Joe attended St. John’s College Preparatory where he wrote for the student newspaper. He earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Niagara University and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Purdue University. Married to Mary Joan Dempsey on June 6, 1953, the couple settled in Houston, Texas in 1971. During his 31-year career at Exxon, Joe worked in research and held executive positions internationally and in Houston. A dedicated member of the St. Cecilia Catholic Community, Joe chaired the committee that built the church, served as president of the Saint Cecilia St. Vincent de Paul Society and founded the Saint Cecilia Well Baby Clinic in 1995. In addition, Joe worked as an advisor for the Sisters of the Incarnate Word. In 1997, he received a Papal Medal for his service to the Catholic Church. Joe and his wife were active in the Holy Name of Mary Catholic Guild. His children’s favorite memories of him include tailgating at the Astrodome for the “Luv Ya Blue” Oilers, watching the Los Angeles Dodgers and coaching his children’s baseball and softball teams. He is preceded in death by his son, Owen, and sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Cahill of Brooklyn. Joe is survived by his wife of 64 years Joan; children Rob Cahill and wife Laura, Clare Thomeer and her husband Bart, Steve Cahill, May Cahill and Bishop of Victoria Brendan Cahill; grandchildren Meghan, Anne Marie, Madeline, Gina, Nick, Joe and Jack; and three great grandchildren Rory, Mara, and Rosalind. A visitation will be held from 5 - 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, with a Vigil at 7 p.m. at Earthman Hunters Creek Funeral Home at 8303 Katy Freeway. Funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 2, at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Community at 11720 Joan of Arc Drive. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Community.