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John Cawthray Obituary
AGE: 72 • Boynton Beach, FL
On Monday, August 28, 2017, John E. Cawthray, Sr., 72, passed away unexpectedly in Boynton Beach, Florida surrounded by his loving family.
He was born October 28, 1944 in Ohio to the late Gertrude (Walker) Mulqueen. He served in the United States Navy, and most recently worked at Marlin Engineering.
John was always involved in his children's sports activities, something he cherished more than life. He coached football and softball at Holy Spirit, and coached softball at Padua Academy. Later in life rugby became his passion, and he began coaching the University of Delaware's Women's Rugby Team. He began the North Bay Rugby Club in Maryland and coached the women's and men's rugby clubs at Florida Atlantic University. He traveled the world playing rugby. In 2016, he was inducted into the North Bay Rugby Hall of Fame and the Florida Atlantic Hall of Fame. John touched many lives both on and off the rugby pitch. And his classic line, "Everyday's a holiday!", will be remembered by all.
John is survived by his wife of 23 years Ellen LoRee Cawthray of Boynton Beach, FL; his daughter, Dawn Thompson (Adam) of Smyrna, his son, John Jr. (Gena) of Wilmington, and his beloved grandchildren Ashley and Daley Thompson and Jacob, Emma, and Delaney Cawthray. Also surviving John are his siblings, William and his wife, Betty Cawthray, Susan Lancaster, and Ginny Strauss; his loving step-family, Michael Thomas (Autumn) of Arizona, step-grandchildren Leonardo and Angelo Thomas, and Krystyna "Kryssy" Redmond. John was predeceased by his mother, Gertrude (Walker) Mulqueen, step-father, Francis Mulqueen, and step-son, Leonard Thomas.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, Sept. 29, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 12 Winder Road, New Castle, Delaware. A Committal Service will follow at 1:00 PM at The Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear, DE.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Diabetes Foundation or the Disabled American Vets, in John's memory.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Cawthray
Sponsored by Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home & Crematory - Boynton Beach.
5 Entries
Dan Collins
September 29, 2017
Rest in peace, Big John. It was a privilege to know you and play music with you in The New Beginning. You were a fine musician and a true gentleman.
Helen Blanchfield
September 26, 2017
My Heartfelt sympathy to the Cawthray family. May the fond memories of John help you thru this difficult time. John was a great guy with a heart of gold, Always a positive attitude- I too will always remember him saying " everyday is a holiday " We worked together at Lowes in Bear. So many good times.
Kathy Laffey
September 26, 2017
Ellen and Dawn: So sorry for your loss.
Dale Hall
September 25, 2017
I have some great memories of John when he was a DSP Trooper. A gentle giant and true gentleman. Still wonder how he kept a St. Bernard in that little apartment in New Castle. My sincerest sympathies to his family and friends.
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Memorial Events
for John Cawthray
Sep
29
Committal
1:00 p.m.
Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home & Crematory - Boynton Beach599 N.E. 15th Avenue, Boynton Beach, FL 33435
Funeral services provided by:
Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home & Crematory - Boynton Beach599 N.E. 15th Avenue, Boynton Beach, FL 33435
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