Tom Cahill Obituary

Tom Cahill

1937 – 2021

Long time activist and photo journalist, Tom Cahill, 84, passed away on June 11, 2021 of natural causes.

For the past 10 years he has lived in France and enjoyed kayaking and filling his bucket list with photographing and writing about the beautiful countryside and traveling in nearby countries.

Born in NJ, after finishing four years in the Air Force, in 1959 he moved to Texas to continue his education.

While there he began his life long passion for justice for the underserved and started an underground newspaper, "INFERNO" that truly lived up to its name.

In 1969 he moved to SF , opened a vintage photography shop "Victorian Vignettes" and eventually moved to Fort Bragg. Throughout all this time, he continued to participate in numerous events such as, anti-war protests, civil rights, Save the Redwoods, Bread not Bombs, etc. and in 2003 was a Human Shield in Iraq guarding a water treatment plant prior to the U.S. bombing of Baghdad.

Tom made a huge difference in many people's lives and because he himself had been brutally beaten and raped in Bexar County jail, San Antonio Texas in 1968, he re-established an inactive program and re-named it, SPR, Stop Prison Rape.

It was eventually recognized by the Human Rights Commission through Amnesty International and Tom was invited to the Oval Office in 2003 at the signing by President George W. Bush of the PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act. It continues as JDI, "Just Detention International" .

He leaves behind his beloved daughter, Kelly, two grand daughters, five great grand children, a sister, Teresa and countless grateful friends".

In his memory, a bench with his name on a plaque will soon be placed at Veteran's Memorial Park in Napa facing the river.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Napa Valley Register on Jul. 18, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Tom Cahill

3 Entries

Teresa Cahill

July 30, 2025

Thank you for keeping my brother Tom's memory fresh.
For those who knew him he'll always be an inspiration and I think of him every day.
His spirit is so strong in my life and my love and gratitude for him continues to grow.
Tom was stronger than life while he lived so he certainly is even stronger in his new spiritual existence because boundaries can't hold him....he's in the very atmosphere and I constantly ask him to help our country return to the basic moral and democratic values he worked so hard to attain.
He is standing (and sitting) for all who work for justice peace and freedom to live with honor and respect in whatever gender, country and way of life they choose.

Teresa Cahill

February 20, 2023

Tom Cahill was my brother and my hero.
Even though he lived in France, we would talk on the phone and we were looking for a Christmas visit that would coincide with his daughter Kelly who lives in Texas.' Tom had a strong faith that life did not end with death and I am grateful that his spirit is still very much alive and growing daily.
I keep a photo of him (along with my husband Arthur who died 02/06/16) on my kitchen table and also in my bedroom.
But I don't really need the photos. My memories of both of them are always present (as are their spirits) in my so much of my daily life.
I thank God for the gift of faith and for my very special brother and I am so pleased that his legacy lives on in JDI and all those who continue to remember him.

Teresa Cahill

July 3, 2021

A tree planted in memory of Tom Cahill will be planted at the Veterans Memorial Park in Napa, CA .
A park bench with a plaque honoring Thomas P. and Anne F. Cahill and Thomas P. Cahill, Jr will also be dedicated in their memory.
The above are Tom's parents who are buried in NJ and both tree and bench will face the Napa River with lots of boating and a beautiful landscaped river walk that is enjoyed by locals and visitors.
Tom's favorite pastime was kayaking In California and later throughout Europe.
The plaque will have the inscription;
"All You Need Is Love"
Tom made a huge difference in so many lives and I believe he continues to do so in programs such as JDI and in the lives of those who are still working to do justice and make "good trouble'!

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