Paul Cady, 75, a lifelong resident of Oak Park, died on March 4, 2016. Born in Evanston on March 8, 1940 to H. Keith and Victoria Cady, he was a computer programmer since 1967 and a database developer who worked for many years at Creative Automation.
In his youth, he worked as a counselor at Camp Seymour and delivered Pepsi and dished ice cream at Petersen’s on Chicago Avenue. He graduated from OPRF High School in 1958, where his father was dean of students, wrote for the Trapeze newspaper, was editor of the Tabula yearbook, participated in debate, played baseball, and was honored as an all-state soccer goalkeeper. At graduation, he delivered one of the four valedictory speeches.
He graduated from Lake Forest College in 1962, where he majored in political science, played keeper for the inaugural soccer team, and was a proud member of the Delta Chi fraternity. After college, he entered the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, serving as a communications security officer on the USS Constellation aircraft carrier out of Yokosuka, Japan. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant JG and was honorably discharged in January of 1967.
Mr. Cady was a founding member of the Ernest Hemingway Foundation, where he served as secretary, photographer, and a docent. He was also instrumental in getting his parents included in “Project Everlasting,” a book focused on the art of long, happy marriages. He was a great fan of musical theater and music of all kinds and visited New York City many times, where he befriended and was loved by many people in the Broadway community. He particularly enjoyed The Sound of Music and visited Austria, where he was able to see many of the sites from the movie.
An avid fan of writing and the arts as well, he painted and wrote fiction, winning a short fiction contest. He was also active with the nation’s hobo community. While not himself a hobo, he endeared himself to and supported the community. His tireless efforts succeeded in getting a “Riding the Rails” segment produced for the CBS Sunday Morning television show. He was dubbed “Hobo Paul” (a title he was quite proud of) at the annual Hobo National Convention in Britt, Iowa.
A lifetime lover of education, he completed several extensive courses in songwriting, grant writing, and paralegal studies in his later years. Paul’s generosity, humor, and passion were without equal, as was his love for his family and for friends, which he made easily wherever he went. He had a profound, abiding effect on all who knew him and will be deeply missed.
Paul Cady is survived by his children, John and Scott; his mother, Victoria nee Dieball; and his brother, Wendell. He was preceded in death by his father, H. Keith Cady.
A memorial service for Paul Cady will be April 2 at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Oak Park.
