STATE ROAD — John James Cahill, a resident of State Road, 73, died peacefully on April 17, 2016. He was born in Manhattan, New York, on Oct. 1, 1942, the son of John Joseph and Elizabeth Vaugh Cahill. He graduated St Joseph's High School in Barrytown, New York, a novitiate for the Christian Brothers, and from Manhattan College as a member of the class of 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature. John married his wife of 51 years, Aileen, in October of 1964. John then joined the Bank of New York where he worked for five years and entered the technology industry as a computer programmer before moving to ITT Sheraton and starting his 37-year career in the hospitality industry. John and Aileen moved with their five children from New Jersey to the Boston area to work with ITT Sheraton for the next 13 years. During his time at Sheraton, John traveled to over 70 countries, whilst moving through the ranks and eventually becoming Sheraton's first ever director of hotel computer systems. John's long career continued as CIO at InterContinental Hotels and then Denihan Hospitality Group, from which he retired in 2009. John was renowned in the hospitality industry and his depth of knowledge earned him a multitude of industry awards and accolades including a place in HFTP's International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame in 1993. He is a published author, enjoyed teaching aspiring hospitality industry students, and was a favored speaker at hospitality conferences worldwide. After retiring, John and Aileen moved to the home they built in North Carolina, near nine of their 17 grandchildren. During retirement, John became active in his new community, becoming a true local. He was heavily involved with the Yadkin Valley Rotary including serving as president and treasurer, and became a Paul Harris fellow in 2015. John and Aileen were avid supporters of the Elkin Valley Trails Association and were often seen walking their labrador, Dixie, along the trail. At St. Stephen parish, John was a lector, eucharistic minister, the finance director, and Confirmation sponsor to his son-in-law, Barry. He is survived by his wife, Aileen; his three daughters, Mary Blackburn and her husband Barry of Elkin, Aileen Blass and her husband Brett of Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, and Margaret Rogan and her husband Frank of Sammamish, Washington; two sons, John and his wife Vanessa of Kingsport, Tennessee, and Paul and his wife Lesley of Portage, Michigan; three sisters, Mary Mooney, Anne Ryan, and Margaret Tripptree; brother, Neil and his wife Lorraine; his 18 grandchildren, Andrew Cahill, Erin Cahill, Rose Forest, Vincent Cahill, Wagner Forest, Jarett Blackburn, Samantha Cahill, Theresa Cahill, Claire Blass, Carolyn Blackburn, Allison Cahill, Jamie Cahill, Julia Blass, Matthew Rogan, Charles Rogan, Caleb Cahill, Violet Cahill and Nora Cahill; and 25 nieces and nephews. John was also preceded in death by his sixth and youngest child, Denis William, who died at age 5 in 1979. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 22, at 11:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 340 Hawthorne Road, Elkin. Burial will be in Hingham, Massachusetts, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to his favorite charities: The John J. Cahill Yadkin Valley Rotary Scholarship, P.O. Box 212, Elkin, NC 28621; or to the St. Stephen Church Foundation, c/o Janis McQuade, SSJ, 101 Hawthorne Road, Elkin, NC 28621. Online condolences may be made to www.elkinfuneralservice.com. Services entrusted to Elkin Funeral Service.
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John Burns
April 26, 2016
I was deeply saddened to learn of John's death. While John was universally admired by the hotel information technology community, I feel a special gratitude to him for his nomination of me (together with Jon Inge) to the International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame. John was the model of leadership, generosity, approachability and integrity. He is missed.
April 23, 2016
Very sorry to hear of John's passing, a very nice gentleman. From his cousin Brian, Nuala and Family in Leitrim, Ireland.
Carmen & Cheryl
April 21, 2016
While good friends die, good friendship never does. Thanks John for your thoughtful and caring friendship that will be with us for the rest of our lives.
Patricia
April 21, 2016
My deepest condolences to the Cahill family may the God who gives hope fill you with peace and comfort your hearts as you grief the loss of your loved one ROMANS 15.13
April 20, 2016
John, You will be in prayers and our thoughts. You were very special.
Bob and Linda Ackerman
Mark Imbus
April 20, 2016
John was such a joy to be around. I only new John for a short period of time. I wish I could have gotten to know him better , what a great guy he will be missed.
Carol and John P. Gilrane
April 20, 2016
You enjoyed life now rest in piece.
fjohn reinke (mc1968)
April 19, 2016
The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself ... any mans death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.
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