Dr Edward E. Cahill

Edward Eugene was the youngest of three sons born to Harold F. and Rose T. Cahill in Memphis between February 1, 1928 and January 3, 1931. Harold and Rose also had three daughters, Mary Anne (1935), Martha Rose (1944) and Alice Ellen (1948)   Edward graduated from Christian Brothers High School  (Memphis,1948);St. Mary’s University—B.S.Sc (Winona, 1952), University of Notre Dame—M.A.                (Indiana-1957); The Catholic University of America—Ph.D. (Washington, D.C.-1965) and did post doctoral studies in Demography (University of Pennsylvania—1966.     His teaching career began at St. George High School, as a Christian brother, (Evanston, IL 1952-1954); continued in the U.S. Army (Fort Kobbe, Canal Zone); Villanova U. ( Pennsylvania,1957-1968), University of Pennsylvania—1968-1972; the University of Georgia; 1972-1975, before coming to the Univ.of Tennessee at Chattanooga as Head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology (1975-1996) retiring in 1996. While at UTC his research students did the original study (1980) of Homelessness in the Chattanooga area from which emerged his work with homeless folks through establishing the Community Kitchen (originally at Christ Episcopal Church) and later moved to its present location of 11th St. His interest continued through out his service at UTC; and he continued serving on the advisory boards of The Community Kitchen, Room in the Inn, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Upward Bound, Chattanooga Human Services, Head Start and Early Head Start. He volunteered with Metropolitan-Ministies (Met/Min), a service started nearly 30 years ago by the late Rev. Jim Bills at Christ Episcopal Church.                                                                                                                                                                                       

He had marched with  Martin L. King, Jr. in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, PA. and was in D.C. when Dr. King delivered his “ I Have a Dream “ speech. When Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis and taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital (the one where Ed Cahill was born) a profound effect occurred in his life—he felt he had to do more to fight racism, injustice and work for PEACE in the world. Thus he became involved with community groups in Philadelphia such as the Opportunities Industrialization Centers. He was married to the late Dr. Jane Furlong Cahill with whom he fathered five wonderful daughters—Christina (Teague), Jane E. (John) Lovett, Helen R. Cahill, Marie(Ross),and Cathleen (Link). In 1997 he married Dr. Patricia Bytnar, accompanied her during her last semester at Virginia Theological Seminary where she received The Master of Divinity degree before being ordained as a deacon and then priest in the Episcopal Church. With her he served at Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church in St. Elmo, and later served at St. Thaddeus. Dr. Cahill was preceded in death by his parents and both brothers (Harold and Charles). He is survived by three sisters (Mary Anne Augustine, Martha (Jim) Patterson and Alice (Joe) Thweat), seven children (five daughters, Gina Perfetti Moore and Leonard Perfetti) six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews. Edward donated his body to Genesis in the hope that medical research will yield a greater knowledge about the disease MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance).  The family wishes to thank Hearth Hospice for their compassionate and caring service.  Memorial Service will be held at 2pm on Saturday March 30, 2019 with the Rev. Robert Hartmans officiating. Visitation will precede the service from Noon-2pm at St. Thaddaus Episcopal Church, 4300 Locksley Ln, Chattanooga, TN 37416.        In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Metropolitan Ministries 1112 McCallie Ave. Chattanooga, TN 37404 or The St. Thaddaeus Food Pantry.     Arrangements are entrusted to Lane Funeral Home ~ Ashland Terrace 601 Ashland Terrace Chattanooga, TN. 37415 (423) 877-3524   Condolences and memories can be shared at Lanefh.com