FRANZ CAHOON

FRANZ Key West, FL - CAHOON CAHOON

Franz Cahoon, born Nov.15, 1935 in Hyannis, MA., died peacefully at home in Key West on Oct. 23, 2022. He was predeceased by his parents Martha and Ralph Cahoon, Jr., of Santuit, MA. He is survived by his wife, Ruth M. Cahoon, of Key West, his son, Paul A. Cahoon, of Hyannis, MA., and his granddaughter, Kimberly R. Cahoon (Kevin Dimpsey), of Los Angeles, CA.

Franz attended schools in Osterville and Cotuit, MA, and graduated from Barnstable High School, Hyannis, Ma in 1953. Jazz, auto racing, live theater, history, and science fiction always interested him. Between high school and college he worked as a gardener in Miami, studied photography, and became the photographer for a publisher of trade magazines in New York City. While there, he and his friends Jack and Bobby Bradley closely followed the jazz scene. He also served in the Infantry of the US Army In Germany (1955-57) and found time to travel in Italy, Spain and France. He then decided that he really wanted to teach history, so he returned to Cape Cod to live at his parents' house while he attended Bridgewater State College and worked to support himself. He graduated Magna Cum Laude.

He began his teaching career in Madison High School, Madison, NJ. He loved teaching critical thinking and writing skills. We met there a few years later. When we married, he wanted to move to Cape Cod to be near his parents. At Dennis-Yarmouth High School he taught all levels of history and his AP students brought recognition to the school. Later, he became Chairman of the Social Studies Department from which he retired in 1995.

Franz served on the Cotuit Library Board, the Board of Directors of The R. E. Cahoon Museum of American Art, and on the board of the Cotuit Kettleers Cape League baseball team. In Key West, he enjoyed volunteering at The Waterfront Playhouse as a member of the set building crew under the direction of Michael Boyer. When he no longer felt able to join them, he enormously enjoyed making brownies for the cast and crew of many plays.

In Madison, as a first year teacher, Franz met Dennis Maloney, a friend for the rest of his life. Dennis wrote the following. "Our many common interests quickly drew us together. They were like a magnet that kept us fastened all that time even though we were sometimes drawn far apart. " One interest was motor racing. "It didn't matter what kind...We would travel to places like Watkins Glen, Lime Rock, Seekonk..." and others. "Eventually we both thought that owning a race car would be a great thing. We found a mini stock that both of us could drive..." That was a short-lived endeavor.

Our son Paul says, "No matter what he thought of what I was doing, he was always there for me." Franz really liked and then loved Paul right from the first time he met him. He loved playing with him, exploring woods, trails, and beaches with him, and teaching him to throw and catch, skip stones, build forts, ride a bike, all the things Paul wanted to do. As Paul grew older, Franz helped him and a friend earn their Boy Scout hiking badge.

Granddaughter Kim has many wonderful memories of times with "Grampa". She describes him this way:"Grampa is an "S'Marvelous" person! A teacher who loved listening to Jazz, laughing at British comedies, and knowing world history. He was helpful with and curious about other people's interests. Seeing his students, friends and me grow certainly brought him joy. He will be forever loved and missed."

Franz is the love of my life and his love still fills my heart. He always supported me in any way he could. As we were realizing the extent of his illness, he insisted that I undergo another shoulder replacement as soon as possible so that he could nurse me through it before he was too sick. This kind, loving man leaves a hole in my life. I thank Hospice, the caregivers Fiona and Kathy, and Sittin' In the Keys for their help in caring for him at home.

A celebration of life will be held Monday, November 14, 2:00pm at Dean-Lopez Funeral Home, 418 Simonton St., Key West, FL. Franz's ashes will be interred at Mosswood Cemetery, Cotuit, MA, at a future date.

Please consider donating to one of our favorite charities, or yours, in memory of him.

Chapters Health Hospice, 11400 Overseas Highway Suite 203, Marathon, FL 33050

The Cahoon Museum of American Art, P.O. Box 1853, Cotuit, MA 02635

Anchors Aweigh Clubhouse, Inc., 404 Virginia Street, Key West, FL 33040