DAVID CAGNEY

1936 - 2015

David M. Cagney NJ State Police lieutenant , co-founder and first coach of Stafford Midget Pop Warner Football, 'funny, generous to a fault, the first to volunteer, ' 78 David M. Cagney, 78, of Ship Bottom, N.J., passed away peacefully on Jan. 15, 2015, surrounded by family. Services will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Thos L. Shinn Funeral Home, 10 Hilliard St. Manahawkin, N.J. A service will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Church, Long Beach Island, N.J. For online condolences, please visit www.shinnfuneralhome.com Dave was born in Long Branch, N.J., and raised in Island Heights, N.J. He graduated from Toms River High School, where he was a member of the varsity football team and the first wrestling team in the shore area. Dave was a United States Army veteran, having served a 16-month tour in Korea with the 1st Cavalry Division. Dave worked in construction with his brother, Tim, before enlisting in the New Jersey State Police, graduating as part of the 59th class in 1962. Dave moved to Ship Bottom in 1963 where he, with the help of his brother, Tim, built his family home. During his career with the N.J. State Police, Dave served at Cape May Courthouse, Mays Landing, Tuckerton, and Division Headquarters in Trenton before retiring after 28 years of service at the rank of lieutenant in 1989. After retirement, he worked for the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and the Division of Criminal Justice. Dave was a member of the Former Troopers Association and a charter member of the Manahawkin Elks 2340, and the V.F.W. of Beach Haven. He was the co-founder and first coach of the Midget Pop Warner Football team in Stafford Township, N.J. Dave, Jack Witkowski and Bob Holmes organized the charter, later sponsored by the Elks, which today operates as the Southern Regional Rams Youth Football Organization. Dave was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He is reunited in Heaven with his wife, Elsa (Svelling); sisters, Mary Cagney and Pat Osborn; brother, Denis Cagney; parents, Charles and Lillian Cagney; nephew, Tim Osborn; great-nephew, Richard Osborn Jr., and sister-in-law, Greta Purgavie. Dave is survived by his three cherished daughters, their husbands, and his eight wonderful grandchildren: Kristin and Joseph DiPietro and their children Ella, Max and Avery of Stafford Township, N.J.; Joy and John Stack and their children, Riley, Lily and Owen, of Pennsylvania, and Lisa and Tripp Dixon and their children, Anka and Will, of Connecticut. Dave is also survived by his brother, Tim Cagney, and sister, Claire Cagney, both of Island Heights, N.J.; sister, Annette Milligan and husband, Andy, of Toms River, N.J., and many special nieces and nephews. Dave is also survived by a tremendous number of lifelong and heartbroken friends. Loyal, loving, humble, FUNNY, The life of every party, generous to a fault. Santa on the roof, Crazy hats, ripped telephone books, the jitterbug, always there for anyone, the first to volunteer, friend to all, proudest Dad and PopPop ever. From the mouths of babes: Hero, Amazing, Heartmaker, Super Awesome, Legendary, Extraordinary, Kind, Caring, Best, Welcoming, Cherished, Memorable, Idol, Role Model, Tough, Formidable, Caring, Outstanding, Wonderful, Old School, Adored. As heavy as our hearts are here on earth, listen closely on a quiet night as the laughter gets louder and louder in Heaven. Dear God, we pray that you have one heck of a good sense of humor. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a worthy charity of your choice.