CAHILL Adrian

It is with great love and sadness that the family of Adrian Boniface Cahill, of Halifax, announce his passing on March 14th, 2020. Born July 3rd, 1933 to Michael and Mary (Rose) Cahill in St John’s, Newfoundland, Adrian was beloved husband to Ruth (Macdonald) Cahill, father to his “Fab Four” children, “Gdad” to his grandchildren, and to his delight, recently, “Great Gdad”. A proud Newfoundlander, Adrian was educated in St John’s, graduating from St. Bonaventure’s College in 1949. His expansive career commenced as Administrative Supervisor on the American Air Force Base, Fort Pepperell. Later, Adrian facilitated children’s programs for the Newfoundland Department of Health. In 1960, he joined the National Employment Service, which took him and his family to Charlottetown, in 1967, and ultimately Halifax where he retired as Regional Manager of Employment at Employment and Immigration Canada in 1992. Married in 1958, Ruth and Adrian had four children, Jeannine, Anne, Susan, and Stephen. Upon moving to Halifax in 1968, their home quickly became the social hub. Certainly, Adrian would say, a full house and the cheer that came with it was the best, and when he was at his happiest. Music was constantly part of the festivities, and he had a deep love and talent for the craft, playing violin for the St. John’s Orchestra, as well as piano and piano accordion through his life. Adrian was always a passionate supporter of his community, with a particular investment in the development of youth. He served as Newfoundland President, as well on the National Board of Directors, for the John Howard Society, and in Halifax on the Board of Trustees at the Grace Maternity Hospital Foundation from 1991 to 1994. He was incredibly dedicated and proud of his work with cadets, acting as the provincial secretary and treasurer of Cadet Services Canada in Newfoundland, as well as the Founding Commanding Officer of the Gonzaga Army Cadets in 1962; the Best First Year Gonzaga Cadet is awarded in his honour annually still. Adrian enjoyed sharing fond memories of summers spent as Camp Captain CD at Camp Aldershot in Kentville, NS from 1962 to 1966. In his youth, Adrian enjoyed sports including handball, track and field, and his other great love, “football”. He served as soccer coach at Caledonia Jr. High in Dartmouth in 1978 and 1979 as well as a Board Member of the Dartmouth Hawks Soccer Club (now UDFC), Soccer Nova Scotia, and as the General Manager of Saint Mary’s University Soccer from 1981 to 1985. During that time, he served as both a coach and manager for NS Provincial teams and, in 1981, as Manager for the NS Canada Games Team, an incredible experience he was able to share with Stephen, who was selected to play for the team. He returned as Mission Staff for the Canada Winter Games in 1983, and as Manager of the soccer team again in 1985. In 2019, Adrian was thrilled to become a supporter and Season Ticket Holder of the HFX Wanderers FC during their inaugural season. Always quick to recognize and acknowledge the best in people, Adrian was a gifted communicator with an unfathomable love for his family. To his children he was inspiring, encouraging, and always there to lend an ear, never judging when offering an anecdote and some sage wisdom. Anecdotes were often delivered with a pun; an endearing part of who he was and often the cause of much laughter, and the occasional groan! Adrian’s life is now celebrated by his children, Jeannine (Robert) Vautour of Moncton, Anne (Gregory) Smith of Dartmouth, Susan Cahill of Dartmouth, and Stephen and his wife Kim (Mills) of Greenwich, CT. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Samuel Vautour (Caroline Karasuik), Emily Cainen (Jackson Munro), Claire Vautour (Bret Crawford), Gillian Smith, and Beth Cainen, as well as greatgranddaughter Hazel Mai Crawford. He is lovingly remembered by his brother, Bernard (Mary) Cahill, nephew Michael (Nina) Cahill, nieces Yvonne Cahill, Denise Cahill (Trevor Bennett), Kathy (Sean) Fitzgerald, all of St John’s, niece Michele (Jeff) Bennett of Calgary, AB; his Ottawa family, Jeanette and David Marett, Flora Neave, Geb Marett and Megan Pound, and Amy and Kevin Rule. He is missed by all of those who were blessed to know him, including Heather Smith Rigg, Laura and Evan Rigg, cousin Basil Rose, many other cousins, great nieces and nephews, and very dear friends. Adrian was predeceased by his parents, wife Ruth, brother Harold and his wife Rita Cahill, niece Sharon Cahill, Ruth’s parents Thomas and Kathleen (Ellis) Macdonald, and brother-in-law John Neave. Interment has taken place. A memorial mass will be celebrated when it is possible for all family to attend. Should you wish to donate in his memory, Adrian would have appreciated your support of the IWK Children’s Hospital for Women’s and Newborn Health.