Dr. John J. Cawley
Join us in celebrating Dr. John—please share your stories and photos, and help spread the word about this page!
Dr. John J. Cawley, 88, of White River Junction, Vermont, died peacefully on Monday, December 14, 2020 at Valley Terrace Assisted Living. He was the husband of the late Barbara Ann (Welch) Cawley; they were married on June 9, 1956 in Brighton, MA. John was born September 18, 1932 in Somerville, MA. He was the son of the late James and Anna (Conway) Cawley. John received a scholarship to attend Boston College Prep, and went on to graduate from Boston College with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry in 1955. In 1960, he earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Harvard University. After a post-doctoratal appointment at the University of Washington, John joined the faculty at Villanova University in 1961 where he embarked on an almost 40-year career focused on undergraduate and graduate education and research in Organic Chemistry. Outside of work, John enjoyed coaching youth ice hockey and spending summers with his wife and 6 children at the beach in Brigantine, NJ.
John retired in 2000 and he and Barbara moved from Newtown Square, PA to Hanover, NH. John was appointed an Emeritus Visiting Professor in the Chemistry Department at Dartmouth College, where he could continue his passion for education and research while advising graduate students with their research. John and Barbara enjoyed Dartmouth Athletics, particularly Women's Basketball for which they had season tickets. They also enjoyed walking in and around Hanover, and vacationing in Ogunquit, ME. John & Barbara were very committed to helping the needy of the local area; both John and Barbara volunteered for many years at the Upper Valley Haven. John was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan who was always up for a discussion on the current state of the Team.
John is survived by his sister Elizabeth Cawley of Brighton, MA, as well as his children - James Cawley and his wife Sandra of Hammonton, NJ, Nancy Cawley and her husband Vincent Heesen of Lebanon, NH, Stephanie Cawley of Broomall, PA, Susan Cawley of Malvern, PA, Mark Cawley of Clinton, NJ and Tina Keim and her husband Gary of Emerald Isle, NC. He is also survived by his grandchildren Michael, Bernadette, Nathan, and Amy. In addition to his beloved wife Barbara and his parents, John was predeceased by his brother James Cawley of Burlington, VT.
A memorial service for John will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in his memory to the Upper Valley Haven in White River Junction, VT (uppervalleyhaven.org).
Arrangements are being handled by Rand-Wilson Funeral Home in Hanover, NH. Online condolences may be posted at www.rand-wilson.com.