Cahill, Bernard J. Cahill, BG (Ret)

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Cahill, Bernard J., BG (Ret) Bernie, age 70, of Maple Grove, loving husband, father, grand- father, brother, and friend passed away January 26, 2014 in the company of his family at Good Samaritan Ambassador, New Hope, MN. He was born in Farmington, MN to the late Joseph and Zella (Foley) Cahill. He graduated from St. Paul Central High School and received his B.S. from St. John's University, College- ville, MN in 1965. He completed ROTC while at St. John's and was commissioned 2LT. While on active duty, he served in Korea and Vietnam. Upon leaving full-time active service in January 1971, he worked for Hennepin County as a Probation Officer for 30+ years. He was a member of the Minnesota National Guard, serving in a variety of positions: Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion, 94th Armor, and 1st Battalion 135 Infantry, Chief of Staff, Headquarters 47th and 34th Infantry Division and Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters and Headquarters Department, State Area Command. He spent 34 years in military service, retiring as a Brigadier General in 1999. Upon retirement from the Minnesota National Guard, Bernie worked for Northrop Grumman providing training to National Guard Units. Bernie was a member of the Civil War Round table and the WWII Round Table. He loved history. His knowledge was deep and broad, which made him a good conversationalist, though some would say it was his Irish heritage. Bernie and Nila loved to travel. With Global Volunteers they combined travel with service, spending time in Barlad, Romania, caring for orphaned and challenged children. They planned to travel to Paraguay to see foreign exchange student "son", Raul Cordas Morselli and family. Cherishing his memory are his wife, Nila Cahill, his children and grandchildren, Tracy (Michael) Kiefer, Ian and Ezra, Emily (Jim) Ruiz, Molly (Erik) Schefers, Zachary and Kyle, Eun Jung (Colin) Decker, Lilia and Austin, siblings Joan Cahill (Edward) Arola, Paula Cahill Ruddy, Robert Cahill, and many other family and friends. Bernie was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law Brian Shuford. The family would like to thank the staff of the Ambassador Good Samaritan for their kind and loving care of Bernie. A vigil will be held on January 31st from 5-8pm at Evans-Nordby Funeral Home 34 2nd St. NE in Osseo, MN. Prayer service will begin at 7pm, and a rosary will follow. Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, February 1st at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 9100 93rd Avenue N., Brooklyn Park, MN. Mass will begin at 10am with lunch to follow. Family will greet visitors an hour prior. Interment will be held at a later date. Military honors will be provided by the Minnesota National Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family will be accepting memorials to Global Volunteers and the Wounded Warrior Project. Evans-Nordby 763-424-4000 evansnordby.com

Published on January 29, 2014