Charles Perry McCahill, 91
Mr. Charles Perry McCahill, of Roswell, Georgia, departed this life on Nov. 27, 2019, at the age of 91.
In June 2018, after the death of his wife Charlotte, Perry moved from Bigfork to Roswell. He was active at St. George Village, singing in the choir, playing weekly poker, going to exercise classes, and enjoying the many friends he made.
Perry leaves behind his four loving children and eight devoted grandchildren, son Mark McCahill (Joanie Durso), daughter Colleen (David) Turley and grandson Nolan, daughter Meghan (Tony) Cameron, daughter Kathleen (Rod) Neuheardt, granddaughters Caitlin, Anna, Margaret, Cecilia, Brigid, grandsons Joseph and Peter. He also leaves behind his brother-in-law Harry Rodenberg, and many nieces and nephews.
His parents, Hugh and Margaret Ann McCahill, his brother Hugh K. McCahill, sisters Margaret Johnson and Charlotte Stribley, brothers-in-law George Stribley and Johnny Johnson and his sister-in-law, Mary Ann Rodenberg preceded him in death.
Perry was born in Westfield, New Jersey, on March 27, 1928. He grew up in New York and Virginia before moving to Montana in high school. He served in the Navy for two years and then went to Montana State University, where he met Charlotte, his wife. He played on the Bobcat Basketball team. He and his teammates were inducted into the MSU Hall of Fame in 1994. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He graduated in 1952 with a degree in accounting and began his career with Conoco.
In August 1954, Charlotte and Perry began their married life in Great Falls. They moved often; from Montana, to Colorado, Utah, Texas, Oklahoma, and Minnesota as Perry’s career took them around the country. Through his years of steady promotions, his career highlight was time served as the president of the KAYO subsidiary in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
He took early retirement at 57 and he and Charlotte returned to Montana to run a cherry orchard on Flathead Lake. After 12 years working the cherry harvest, they finally retired to Bigfork to enjoy more leisure time and golfing. Charlotte and Perry journeyed to China, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Germany and Ireland.
Perry was a talented man; he was a self-taught sculptor, furniture maker, and in later years, jeweler. He was an enthusiastic sailboat racer. The whole family worked as crew and many summers were spent on Lake Minnetonka racing out of the Wayzata Yacht Club and in Chattanooga sailing out of the Privateer Yacht Club. Perry enjoyed golfing, bridge, a good drink and joking ... a true Irishman!
He enjoyed life to its fullest, always with a plan for the future and caring for his wife and family. Perry taught his children to love family first and to support each other faithfully. With every move the family’s strength was to help each other as everyone adjusted to the new town. He had the strong heart of a father, he taught by example and in words, to live a life of service and faith. Perry was quick with a joke and loved to share stories and laughter. He lived to love and care for his wife, Charlotte, especially in her final years. He loved his wife. His wife loved him. He loved his children and grandchildren. His children and grandchildren loved him.
“May the angels lead you into Paradise
And when you come may the martyrs receive you
And lead you to the holy city of Jerusalem.
May a choir of angels receive you,
And with Lazarus, once a pauper,
May you have eternal rest.