Philip L Cahill

Philip L. Cahill, 85, of Pompton Plains, passed away calmly and peacefully on October 24, 2023, surrounded by his 3 children Katie Brigid & Kevin, and their spouses Phil, Greg and Pam after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. 

Philip was born in Queens and raised with his brother John in White Plains, NY by his parents Philip and Florence whose families had emigrated from County Cavan, Ireland. He studied Civil Engineering at the University of Detroit, in Michigan where he met his bride of 60 years, Breda O’Rahilly. They moved to Nutley, NJ and eventually Pompton Plains, where he began his career in a sales engineering capacity for several industrial companies before purchasing his own manufacturing business in 1989.  Phil was an active parent, playing tennis and coaching recreation basketball & softball, attending high school cheerleading competitions, soccer & basketball games of which, debatably, he found some joy.  Undebatable, Phil found more joy on the golf course playing with clients, friends or his brother John in Florida.  But most often, Phil found the most joy golfing with his son Kevin.  They played often, sometimes including the grandsons & son-in-law’s and even Kevin’s friends.

Phil, aka Papa C, was fortunate enough to have 9 grandchildren whom he celebrated as often as possible at countless holidays and birthdays.   He cheered voraciously, sometimes too voraciously, at their baseball, hockey, basketball, soccer and lacrosse games and the occasional school concerts.  Papa C mostly enjoyed summer vacations in Stone Harbor & Avalon with the entire family of 17.   His favorite part was arriving every morning with a box of crumb cake & sticky buns while calling out in his signature style: “Ooooooohooohooohooo”

Phil’s quick wit & waggish sense of humor was his best trait.  He lightened every conversation with his customary self - deprecating commentary, never taking himself too seriously, except when he claimed to be an expert on a topic, he knew nothing about.   Although Alzheimer’s stole his mind and body from us way too early - his wit remained faithful to him to the end.   Even his caregivers at Arden Courts enjoyed his amusing and whimsical humor, and they (specifically Yoconda, Quana & Adam) are forever endeared into our hearts as they came to know & appreciate the real Phil Cahill that we all knew and loved.  “We will miss you terribly, think of you fondly and tell your stories to your great grandchildren someday.  RIP Papa C”

Phil is pre-deceased by his wife Breda and survived by his children Catherine Cahill Ortolani, her husband Philip, Brigid Cahill Wykoff, her husband Greg, Kevin Philip Cahill and his wife Pamela; his grandchildren Christian, Olivia, her husband Robert, Sam, Alexandria, Mitchel, Aidan, Erin, Will and Claire; his brother John Cahill and his wife Peggy, nieces Christine and Karen, and nephews Patrick and Timothy.

Visitation at the Leonardis Memorial Home, Inc. at 210 Ridgedale Avenue in Florham Park, NJ on Friday from 10 – 11:30am, followed by the funeral mass at Holy Family Church in Florham Park at noon.  For those unable to be present during the funeral mass, you are welcome to view the church's live stream by visiting: www.holyfamilyfp.org and clicking the live broadcast box on their home page.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Philip’s name to Help Fight Alzheimer’s, see donation box below for detail….

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Philip L Cahill, please visit our Tree Store.