Leo Edward Cahill

Leo Edward Cahill age 89, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday evening February 15, 2018. He was born on July 30, 1928 in Utica, Illinois to Dennis James Cahill and Catherine Cahill (Coleman). He attended the University of Illinois on a football scholarship and appeared as a player in the 1947 Rose Bowl. After leaving college, Mr. Cahill served in the United States Army during the Korean War.
After stints as an assistant coach on the college circuit in the United States, Mr. Cahill began his Canadian Football League career in the 1960s as an assistant coach with the Montreal Alouettes before moving to Toronto with the then Toronto Rifles of the Continental Football League. He was appointed head coach of the Toronto Argonauts in 1967, retaining the position until 1972, returning again in the 1977 and 1978 seasons. He would later serve as General Manager for the team from 1986 to 1988.
In between Argos engagements Mr. Cahill was hired as General Manager of the Toronto Northmen of the World Football League. The Northmen never played a game in Toronto, Federal Government Intervention banned them from playing there, and the team was moved to Memphis, Tennessee and re-named the Memphis Southmen.
From 2004 onward, Mr. Cahill served as goodwill ambassador for the Argonauts. He also served as a color commentator for CFL telecasts on CBC between 1981 and 1985. He was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2013 in recognition of his contributions to the Argonauts franchise.
A Sandy Springs resident for the past five years Mr. Cahill enjoyed daily walks and Sunday dinners with his family.
He was preceded in death by his three brothers Donald Cahill, Francis Cahill and Joseph Cahill, a granddaughter Theresa Mary Khouri (O'Bryant) and nephew Dennis Cahill. He is survived by five children, Steve Cahill of Woodstock, Georgia and Terry Cahill, Christy Aldridge, Lisa Miller (Marty) and Bettye Nissim (Sasson) all of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Grandchildren Michael Aldridge of Boise, Idaho, Mary (Aldridge) Tapp , Patrick Murray, Rebecca Rose, David Nissim and Joey Nissim all of Sandy Springs, Georgia and Alexandra (Rose) Daquino (John) of Los Angeles, California. Great grandchildren John Talley, Lilly Talley and Sarah Tapp of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Nieces, Catherine Rosen (Rick) of Utica, Illinois, Anne Hayburn (Bill) of Santa Ana, California, Sue Johnson (Dave) of Barrington, Illinois, and Jane Barth (Brian) of Austin, Texas, and nephews, Patrick Cahill (Jane) of Winnetka, Illinois, Joseph Cahill (Jayne) of Geneva, Illinois, and John Cahill (Jackie) of Coral Springs, Florida . Sister-in-law Mary Lou Cahill of Dekalb, Illinois and many loyal friends and fans throughout the United States and Canada.
A funeral mass will be held at 1 pm on Thursday, February 22, 2018, at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 7171 Glenridge Drive, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Reception to follow at his daughter's home in Sandy Springs. Donations may be made in Mr. Cahill's name to the American Lung Association.