James P. Cahill
James P. Cahill, 86, passed away on March 20, 2022 surrounded by his loving wife of 62 years, Marie (Chalifour) and their four children, James, Cathleen, Teresa (Cawlina) and Maryellen at his home in Matlacha Florida.
Jim was born in Salem. MA in 1935 to Patrick J. Cahill and Margaret (McNulty). He and his 4 siblings, Joanne, Joseph, John and Mary, grew up on “Gallows Hill” and Jim graduated from Salem High School in 1953.
Jim loved his cars in the 1950’s, particularly his “chopped and decked” 1953 Ford Customline that he would cruise around Townhouse Square on his way to visit his soon-to be wife, Marie who was working at Bakeryland at the time.
Jim and Marie were married in 1960 with four kids soon to follow… Jim Jr. in 1961, Cathy in 1963, Terry
in 1965 and Maryellen in 1966.
Jim and Marie raised their young family in their first home on Burnside Street in Salem. At that time, his kids thought that their Dad had the best job in the whole world….. as the Toy Department Manager at Rich’s Department Store in Salem and then at the Arcade Bazaar in Saugus.
In 1969, Jim began a 25-year career at General Electric in Lynn, first working in the Turbine Division and then spending most of his latter career in the Aircraft Division, working in the test cell on G.E.’s renowned J-85 turbo-jet engine.
At the same time, Jim was also moonlighting as “The Mold Master” in Marie’s home-based Ceramic Business at their new home that they moved into in 1974 on Essex Street in Beverly.
Jim loved to take the family camping all around New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine during the summer months in the ATCO Travel Trailer and had many fond memories of time spent at the family’s Summer seasonal campsite at 3 Ponds Campground in Epping, New Hampshire.
Jim retired from G.E. in 1994. He and Marie began a new chapter in their lives, realizing a life-long dream, and moving to Florida.
Jim’s green thumb with his plants, from vegetables to orchids to pineapples quickly became apparent to all his new neighbors in Matlacha, FL. and it wasn’t long before he had earned the title of “Pineapple King”.
Jim quickly became acclimated to his new Florida lifestyle and enjoyed many years of waterfront living and fun in the sun with Marie and their loyal dogs, Tippie, then Bear and finally Sunny.
Jim was a family man his entire life and wanted nothing more than to be with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He leaves his wife Marie, his children, Jim (wife Janey (Mainard) of Cape Coral, FL Cathy Cahill of Watertown , MA Terry (husband Scott Cawlina) of Danvers, MA and Maryellen Cahill of Chelsea, MA and his 4 grandchildren, Bailey and Riley Cahill of Cape Coral, FL and Jake Cawlina of El Paso, TX and Sophie Cawlina of Danvers, MA. He also leaves a sister, Mary Smith, of Peabody, MA and many nieces and nephews.
A Catholic Mass and a celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.