Sean Patrick Cawley
OBJECTIVE: Get to know Sean
BORN:
January 26, 1972 in Upper Darby, PA
Third child of Sean and Ann Cawley
Younger brother of Charlie and Annmarie
Older brother of Brian
EDUCATION:
1978-86 St. Laurence Elementary School
1986-90 Monsignor Bonner High School
First Honors, 1986
1991-94 Williamson Free Trade School
EMPLOYMENT:
Too many jobs over the years to list all…
1984-86 Busboy, O'Malley's tavern
1988-1994 Owner, Sean Cawley Landscaping (yes, he was 16 when he started his first business!)
Sept 1994-Oct 1994 Some great job in California (got homesick after 2 weeks and came home, classic Sean)
1997 Owner, Red Arrow Saloon/Sean Ogs Pub and Sean Cawley Landscaping
**who are we kidding, whenever he had another job, he wanted to work for himself, outside, with no one to answer to, and to bartend at Cawley's. And that was just what he did for many years!**
SKILLS:
Again too many to list all…
Loving son, brother, uncle, friend
Entrepreneur
Great Story Teller
Hard worker
Loyal man
CATCH PHRASES:
Keep in mind this is the PG version…
Aaaaarrrrr Boys
Gitty On
Give me a nail
Brutal
"If lovin you is wrong, then I don't wanna be right".
NICKNAMES:
Seany C
Shooter
Grayboy
This resume is just a thumbnail sketch of Sean's life. Sean was an original, the type of person who lit-up a room when he entered it. He was his own man. As funny a person as you'll ever meet, with a unique take on things. He loved his family dearly, and took great pride in being a Godfather and Uncle to his nephew John. As a friend there was no comparison, Sean would, and did, do anything to help his boys, at a moments notice, no questions asked.
If Sean was going to a party, bar, or an event, you wanted to go, because you knew it would be fun. He was a tireless worker who was always on the go. He loved country music, particularly Johnny Cash. He was St.Laurence through and through, and didn't do bad with the ladies. Most of all, for anyone viewing this website, Sean has a stranglehold on our hearts, he will never be forgotten, each of us will carry him with us everyday of our lives.
~Rob Ellis - May, 2003
Words from Chuck Cawley - December, 2002
Sean was strong in every way. He has always been physically strong, but his will was even stronger. If he wanted something enough, he would get it. Never the easy way, though. He worked hard at everything. From the time he was a little kid he was hustling, a lot like my dad. Neighbors remember never worrying when it snowed because Sean Cawley would be at your doorstep to shovel and make some money. He had more money saved by eighth grade than most of us have now, and he was proud of that when he was young.
Sean played football when he was younger, but as sports got more serious his coaches expected him to practice longer. One day he told the coach that he had to leave because he had to work, the coach said he needed to give up work, Sean told him he needed to give up football. He had the strongest work ethic since he was a kid.
He was generous with all that he had, though. He would give his family or his good friends anything, and he would defend you or come to you whenever you needed him. He was fiercely loyal and when he cared for you, it felt as if you had the sun on your back.
Sean was known to place a bet or two. He enjoyed playing the numbers and loved the action.
Sean also loved this neighborhood. He may have complained to everyone it was “brutal,” but he really loved it here. If he would go downtown for the night, he would spend a total of 10 minutes before he headed back west...that is west on Market Street and back to Upper Darby.
He felt special here and important in his home. He ate dinner with my parents at least three times a week (he loved my mom’s cooking...no restaurant could compare)! and we all worked together at different points in our lives. We all had our roles and Sean did too. He loved attention and he was so happy when people were pleased with him. Sean was most people’s favorite! He was also the most charming one. Most girls who met him, liked him, and if they didn't he wanted to know why. After all, he was handsome and fun and he lived well. His opinion of girls can be summed up in his
senior quote...”The Battle of the sexes will never be won because there is too much fraternizing between the enemies.”
Sean had a way of making people feel good about themselves, but his compliments were always sincere. Sean did not just say things, he always meant what he said.
He told the truth and if you did not like it...so be it. He was also encouraging. His smile and wink could light up a room. At Annmarie’s wedding, when he gave the blessing, he ended with a wink and at that moment Anmmarie knew everything would be OK.
He was so proud of everyone else’s accomplishments. He took pride in both my wedding and Annmarie’s and looked forward to Brian’s. He cheered everyone on...he yelled for Brian to run faster at the 15th mile of the Boston marathon! He created a “Dream Team” at Cawley’s to have some fun and inspire the people he worked with to do well.
Sean was also unpredictable and funny. When Sean said he was going to buy a dog, most people expected him to come home with a big German Shepherd and he decided on a four pound schnauzer.
Sean was sensitive too. Like us all he wanted to be loved. Whenever my son, John, his godson, would run to him or say he loved him, Sean would literally walk around bragging, but if John was cranky, he would be so upset. He had intense feelings and many emotions.
Sean had his ups and downs like all of us, but I would like to remember him as someone too special for this world. I think of him as a man who worked hard for everything he had, cared for his neighborhood, loved his family, and treasured his friends.
We are all sad and lost right now, but we hope Sean is at peace.
~Chuck Cawley
Words from Kristina Cawley - April, 2003
The loss of Sean is immeasurable. Since December 15 of 2002, it seems as if some days are better than others, yet there is a palpable emptiness within us all. For me, the sadness of facing the rest of my life without the love and the friendship of someone incredibly special to me overwhelms and breaks my spirit. I also think a lot about the ways we can keep Sean alive and present, although he is no longer with us physically.
I especially would like my son John, future generations of our family and children of his friends to know Sean and understand the depths of our fondness for him. He was a good person, full of life; a man who had passion and vitality. Sean never realized all of his talents, yet he helped others to see the best in themselves.
Sean had countless friends. He probably never knew how truly loved he was in this life. The day he died, and many days after, crowds of mourners flocked to the Cawley's home…filling it with flowers, food, cakes, cookies, but, most importantly, love and goodwill. Then the viewing and the funeral proved to be an unimaginable tribute to a man who lived just a short life. Thousands of people gathered to pay their respects and comfort one another. The poignant walk from the funeral home to the church dramatically illustrated the commitment and esteem that so many have for Sean and his family. The exquisitely painful sounds of the bagpipe resonated within us all as they captured the paradox of life and death.
On a more personal note, I loved being a part of Sean's family. He made occasions more fun and I was very proud to be his sister-in-law. I met Sean in high school and always enjoyed our time together even before I met Chuck. Sean (and Michelle) introduced me to Chuck, and Chuck feels that Sean was instrumental in our union.
What amazing gifts Sean helped me to receive…my husband, my son and, perhaps, more children. For these reasons and countless others, I believe Sean touched my life in indelible ways.
I hope this collection of words and pictures keeps Sean with us in a special way and that the organization honors Sean and profoundly and positively impacts his neighbors and neighborhood. May what we put forth now both help us cope with our loss and allow generations to come relate to the person we loved so well.
~Kristina Cawley
OBJECTIVE: Get to know Sean
BORN:
January 26, 1972 in Upper Darby, PA
Third child of Sean and Ann Cawley
Younger brother of Charlie and Annmarie
Older brother of Brian
EDUCATION:
1978-86 St. Laurence Elementary School
1986-90 Monsignor Bonner High School
First Honors, 1986
1991-94 Williamson Free Trade School
EMPLOYMENT:
Too many jobs over the years to list all…
1984-86 Busboy, O'Malley's tavern
1988-1994 Owner, Sean Cawley Landscaping (yes, he was 16 when he started his first business!)
Sept 1994-Oct 1994 Some great job in California (got homesick after 2 weeks and came home, classic Sean)
1997 Owner, Red Arrow Saloon/Sean Ogs Pub and Sean Cawley Landscaping
**who are we kidding, whenever he had another job, he wanted to work for himself, outside, with no one to answer to, and to bartend at Cawley's. And that was just what he did for many years!**
SKILLS:
Again too many to list all…
Loving son, brother, uncle, friend
Entrepreneur
Great Story Teller
Hard worker
Loyal man
CATCH PHRASES:
Keep in mind this is the PG version…
Aaaaarrrrr Boys
Gitty On
Give me a nail
Brutal
"If lovin you is wrong, then I don't wanna be right".
NICKNAMES:
Seany C
Shooter
Grayboy
This resume is just a thumbnail sketch of Sean's life. Sean was an original, the type of person who lit-up a room when he entered it. He was his own man. As funny a person as you'll ever meet, with a unique take on things. He loved his family dearly, and took great pride in being a Godfather and Uncle to his nephew John. As a friend there was no comparison, Sean would, and did, do anything to help his boys, at a moments notice, no questions asked.
If Sean was going to a party, bar, or an event, you wanted to go, because you knew it would be fun. He was a tireless worker who was always on the go. He loved country music, particularly Johnny Cash. He was St.Laurence through and through, and didn't do bad with the ladies. Most of all, for anyone viewing this website, Sean has a stranglehold on our hearts, he will never be forgotten, each of us will carry him with us everyday of our lives.
~Rob Ellis - May, 2003
Words from Chuck Cawley - December, 2002
Sean was strong in every way. He has always been physically strong, but his will was even stronger. If he wanted something enough, he would get it. Never the easy way, though. He worked hard at everything. From the time he was a little kid he was hustling, a lot like my dad. Neighbors remember never worrying when it snowed because Sean Cawley would be at your doorstep to shovel and make some money. He had more money saved by eighth grade than most of us have now, and he was proud of that when he was young.
Sean played football when he was younger, but as sports got more serious his coaches expected him to practice longer. One day he told the coach that he had to leave because he had to work, the coach said he needed to give up work, Sean told him he needed to give up football. He had the strongest work ethic since he was a kid.
He was generous with all that he had, though. He would give his family or his good friends anything, and he would defend you or come to you whenever you needed him. He was fiercely loyal and when he cared for you, it felt as if you had the sun on your back.
Sean was known to place a bet or two. He enjoyed playing the numbers and loved the action.
Sean also loved this neighborhood. He may have complained to everyone it was “brutal,” but he really loved it here. If he would go downtown for the night, he would spend a total of 10 minutes before he headed back west...that is west on Market Street and back to Upper Darby.
He felt special here and important in his home. He ate dinner with my parents at least three times a week (he loved my mom’s cooking...no restaurant could compare)! and we all worked together at different points in our lives. We all had our roles and Sean did too. He loved attention and he was so happy when people were pleased with him. Sean was most people’s favorite! He was also the most charming one. Most girls who met him, liked him, and if they didn't he wanted to know why. After all, he was handsome and fun and he lived well. His opinion of girls can be summed up in his
senior quote...”The Battle of the sexes will never be won because there is too much fraternizing between the enemies.”
Sean had a way of making people feel good about themselves, but his compliments were always sincere. Sean did not just say things, he always meant what he said.
He told the truth and if you did not like it...so be it. He was also encouraging. His smile and wink could light up a room. At Annmarie’s wedding, when he gave the blessing, he ended with a wink and at that moment Anmmarie knew everything would be OK.
He was so proud of everyone else’s accomplishments. He took pride in both my wedding and Annmarie’s and looked forward to Brian’s. He cheered everyone on...he yelled for Brian to run faster at the 15th mile of the Boston marathon! He created a “Dream Team” at Cawley’s to have some fun and inspire the people he worked with to do well.
Sean was also unpredictable and funny. When Sean said he was going to buy a dog, most people expected him to come home with a big German Shepherd and he decided on a four pound schnauzer.
Sean was sensitive too. Like us all he wanted to be loved. Whenever my son, John, his godson, would run to him or say he loved him, Sean would literally walk around bragging, but if John was cranky, he would be so upset. He had intense feelings and many emotions.
Sean had his ups and downs like all of us, but I would like to remember him as someone too special for this world. I think of him as a man who worked hard for everything he had, cared for his neighborhood, loved his family, and treasured his friends.
We are all sad and lost right now, but we hope Sean is at peace.
~Chuck Cawley
Words from Kristina Cawley - April, 2003
The loss of Sean is immeasurable. Since December 15 of 2002, it seems as if some days are better than others, yet there is a palpable emptiness within us all. For me, the sadness of facing the rest of my life without the love and the friendship of someone incredibly special to me overwhelms and breaks my spirit. I also think a lot about the ways we can keep Sean alive and present, although he is no longer with us physically.
I especially would like my son John, future generations of our family and children of his friends to know Sean and understand the depths of our fondness for him. He was a good person, full of life; a man who had passion and vitality. Sean never realized all of his talents, yet he helped others to see the best in themselves.
Sean had countless friends. He probably never knew how truly loved he was in this life. The day he died, and many days after, crowds of mourners flocked to the Cawley's home…filling it with flowers, food, cakes, cookies, but, most importantly, love and goodwill. Then the viewing and the funeral proved to be an unimaginable tribute to a man who lived just a short life. Thousands of people gathered to pay their respects and comfort one another. The poignant walk from the funeral home to the church dramatically illustrated the commitment and esteem that so many have for Sean and his family. The exquisitely painful sounds of the bagpipe resonated within us all as they captured the paradox of life and death.
On a more personal note, I loved being a part of Sean's family. He made occasions more fun and I was very proud to be his sister-in-law. I met Sean in high school and always enjoyed our time together even before I met Chuck. Sean (and Michelle) introduced me to Chuck, and Chuck feels that Sean was instrumental in our union.
What amazing gifts Sean helped me to receive…my husband, my son and, perhaps, more children. For these reasons and countless others, I believe Sean touched my life in indelible ways.
I hope this collection of words and pictures keeps Sean with us in a special way and that the organization honors Sean and profoundly and positively impacts his neighbors and neighborhood. May what we put forth now both help us cope with our loss and allow generations to come relate to the person we loved so well.
~Kristina Cawley