Cawley was raised in a Roman Catholic family in the Westside neighborhood of Scranton with his four siblings: Patrick, Sarah, Linda, and James.

Cawley's sports career began at the age of 7 when he joined the Rotary Team of the West Scranton Little League as a southpaw pitcher.

Throughout his legislative career, Cawley was recognized for his bipartisanship approach to governance, emphasizing the importance of respectful communication and collaboration with colleagues from both political parties.

As a pragmatic politician, Cawley was involved in numerous legislative matters, including liability insurance, medical malpractice, and support for public schools.

He acknowledged the slow progress on some issues, like the cleanup of a hazardous waste site in Throop, but emphasized persistence and problem-solving over complaints.

He believed in fostering collaboration and communication among government officials to tackle challenges effectively, despite the potential for negative outcomes, such as bills being buried due to lobbying or personal agendas.

Encouraged to run for office by a former colleague, Cawley won his first election and continued to work diligently to represent his constituents throughout his career.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy; their five daughters and eight grandchildren; three siblings, Patrick, James, and Sarellen; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.