Roderick J. Cawley

So sorry to hear the passing of Mr. Cawley! He was my teacher at TMLA! I have great memories of the class as well as the rest of the Class of ‘85. Sending prayers of comfort to his family and friends.

Rest in peace Rod. Wishing Barbara and family a sense of comfort and happiness knowing how many lives he touched in the classroom and on the field at ELVHS.

Thank you for always being the amazing coach that you were. You taught us hard work and dedication while also bringing fun and laughs to our practices. Port Jefferson Cross Country and Track will always be an important part of me, and it wouldn’t have been the same without you.

I am so grateful to be able to count Rod Cawley as a colleague and a friend. He was an inspiration to so many people…his students, his colleagues and his athletes. During one of our last conversations, he reminded me that we had been friends for 40 years. Those 40 years ended much too soon but they will always be a source of happy memories for me.

Mr. Cawley taught while I attended TMLA and I recall him being my Biology teacher. Although it was so long ago, it was meaningful enough that I distinctly remembered him as my teacher when notice of his passing came through. I love the Requiescat in Pace message – Mr. Cawley led a meaningful life and influenced in very positive ways. Deep condolences to Mrs. Cawley, my CS teacher at TMLA. I wish you love and peace.

I’ll never forget Rod explaining in our chemistry class that electrons barely contribute to the weight of an atom. He described this as “Melissa would be the same weight with or without her clothes, they don’t add significant weight to her overall weight.” It was disgusting, and 2 decades later, I think about that comment so often. Don’t glorify people who sexualize children.