May God bless you and your...
Your dad was a very nice, dedicated man who became a hero on that dark day. I think of him and y'all often. Praying for peace for you & your family.
Tanya Eskola
November 03, 2019 | Lampasas, TX | Coworker
0
1
Obituary
Cahill, a 62-year-old physician assistant, suffered a heart attack two weeks ago and returned to work at the base as a civilian employee after taking just one week off for recovery, said his daughter Keely Vanacker.
"He survived that. He was getting back on track, and he gets killed by a gunman," Vanacker said, her words bare with shock and disbelief.
Cahill, of Cameron, Texas, helped treat soldiers returning from tours of duty or preparing for deployment. Often, Vanacker said, Cahill would walk young soldiers where they needed to go, just to make sure they got the right treatment.
"He loved his patients, and his patients loved him," said Vanacker, 33, the oldest of Cahill's three adult children. "He just felt his job was important."
Cahill, who was born in Spokane, Wash., had worked as a civilian contractor at Fort Hood for about four years, after jobs in rural health clinics and at Veterans Affairs hospitals. He and his wife, Joleen, had been married 37 years.
Vanacker described her father as a gregarious man and a voracious reader who could talk for hours about any subject.
The family's typical Thanksgiving dinners ended with board games and long conversations over the table, said Vanacker, whose voice often cracked with emotion as she remembered her father. "Now, who I am going to talk to?"
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press
Guest Book
Just as no man has power over the spirit or can restrain the spirit, so no one has power over the day of death. Just as no one is discharged during a war, so wickedness will not allow those who practice it to escape. All of this I have seen, and I applied my heart to every work that has been done under the sun, during the time that man has dominated man to his harm. (Ecclesiastes 8:8,9). So it is this tragic event that none of us could foresee but the effects ripple throughout all our lives...
Robert
December 10, 2013 | Augusta
0
1
I knew Michael years ago, and just adored him. He loved his family and his work - growing that danged fingernail as an effective tool and being just pleased as punch with himself. Bragging on his wife and daughter in a way that made me love y'all, too. What a good, good man. May you all find the answers you seek, joy in your memories of him, and peace, peace, peace with the difficulty of your loss.
Kae McLaughlin
August 06, 2013 | Austin, TX
0
1
I worked with his daughter and they are a caring compassionate family...what a tragedy! As an Army civilian myself you can't imagine having to fear for your life at work. God bless where ever life took you since this horror and watch over each other like you always have
Karrie
August 03, 2011 | Chicago, IL
0
1
I did not know Michael but I believe was a Hero in the truest sense of the word. He was an "older" man and a civilian supporting the military; something that usually doesn't get much respect by younger military staff. When conflict came he didn't hide behind a desk he reacted and he fought to save the lives of others and in doing so made the greatest sacrifice.
I was shocked to learn that Michael had only recently returned to work after a heart attack only to be killed by a...
Richard Schulde
October 17, 2010 | APO
0
1
My thoughts and prayers continue to be for Mike's family. - a fellow military PA and former acquaintance.
George Montee
August 22, 2010 | Fort Fairfield, ME
0
1
When I lived in Spokane 1967-1969, Mike, Conley Crume and I ran around together. I met them both while doing duty with the National Guard. My condolences to his family & friends. He will be missed.
Mike Paine, California
May 26, 2010
0
1
My prayers and sympathy to Mr. Cahill's family. God Bless you Mr. Cahill and thank you for all that you have done to protect the people of the U.S.
Diane
November 21, 2009 | CT
0
1
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Sandi Montoya
November 20, 2009 | NV
0
1