Raymond P. Cahill

Raymond P. Cahill, 91, of Salisbury Center, New York, passed away unexpectedly late Wednesday night, June 11, 2025 at Little Falls Hospital in Little Falls, New York.

He was born on February 28, 1934 in Brooklyn, New York and was the son of the late, Matthew and Florence (Hanson) Cahill. Ray Holy Cross Grammar School and then went on to Erasmus High School in Brooklyn where he received his education.

Ray enlisted in the United States Navy in 1950 in which he served in the Korean War. He was assigned to the U.S.S. John Hood Destroyer. Ray completed five years in the Navy and was honorably discharged in 1955.

He was formerly employed with the Hudson River State Hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York as well as Central Islip State Hospital and was employed by both hospitals as a ward supervisor. Ray retired with over 25 years of service. He then went on to own and operated Chiswick Antiques in Islip, Long Island, New York with his partner, David Frasier. Ray and David moved to Salisbury and owned the “Broken Arrow” which is now known as the Stone Jug from 1980 to 1990.

Ray was an active and giving community member, volunteering his time whenever he could. In earlier years on Long Island, Ray sang for the Lions Club and sang at local hospitals in Long Island. He volunteered on the Third Floor at Little Falls Hospital for many years. Ray was a well-known entertainer in our area. He did shows at Arthur's Restaurant, The Club Mason in Little Falls along with many other places such as the Salisbury Center Grange where he would write their shows and skits. His favorite show at the Grange was the Halloween Show.

Ray was a Charter Member of the Lions Club in Dolgeville and was credited with raising money for the club by writing and Directing Minstrel Shows which was their biggest fund raiser. After the shows were over, he started a singing group called the Merry Minstrels and carried on his desire to entertain. Ray was on the APA Herkimer League Pool Team for the VFW and was an avid animal lover especially his dogs. He was a member of the Salisbury Community Church where he would sing solos with the choir. Amongst all of Ray’s talent and volunteer time, he was a cherished community member and will be missed by all who knew him and his infectious personality.

He is survived by many nieces and nephews who are too numerous to list as well as his close friends from his community, shows and groups he was a part of.

Ray was predeceased by his life-long special friend, David Frasier; and his siblings, Matthew Cahill, Charles Cahill and Elizabeth “Betty” Deering.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Ray will be held at the Salisbury Community Church, 2545 State Route 29, Salisbury Center, New York 13454 on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 12 p.m. (noon) with Pastor Mark Hediger officiating with a luncheon to follow in the church hall immediately following. The family is being cared for by locally owned and family operated, Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, Cremations and Funerals, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, New York 13329.

Please consider memorial contributions for the Salisbury Grange #624, P. O. Box, 491, Salisbury Center, New York 13454, Pause 4 All Paws of Herkimer County, 181 West Monroe Street, Little Falls, New York 13365 or the Herkimer County Humane Society, P.O. Box 73, Mohawk, New York 13407. Please include in the check memo, “In Memory of Raymond P. Cahill” so that the memorial can be properly acknowledged.

To leave a message of sympathy for the family of Raymond P. Cahill, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.com and sign the tribute wall or leave a photo or memory for his online memorial book.

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