Leaving Cats At Home For Months At A Time

I have 2 male 2 year old cats that are inside/outside cats. I semi-retired 2 years ago but unfortunately due to some unforeseen expenses I must go back to work.

I'm going to St Croix to work for upwards to 8 months. The cats will not be able to travel with me as I will be staying at a construction site man-camp.
My son lives across the street and will come over to feed, play with, litter box etc. but he also works and his time with them will be limited.

I'm really concerned with leaving them for that long of a period. They stick to me like glue and follow me everywhere, sleep in my bed, you name it.

Any suggestions as to make it easier on them while I'm gone would be greatly appreciated.

Start collecting a few t-shirts and socks that you don't launder. Having articles of clothing with your smell will help them, and you could even consider shipping a couple unlaundered items in ziplock bags home every few weeks.
Don't launder your bed linens either, although without you actually there, I wouldn't be surprised if they find other places to sleep, but, these are cats so who knows LOL

Try music now to find which they like, classical harp, the app Relax My Cat or MusicForCats . com

Furballsmom had great ideas. To that I would add a 2 way security system so you can talk and hear your cats any time of the day. You could get as simple or as elaborate as you want with just 2 way audio or 2 way audio and you see them with a camera or 2 way audio/video like Factime. Of course the more elaborate you make it to more it will cost... but it can also be seen as keeping an eye on your place (besides just your son) if you are looking to justify the cost.

All of the above - ditto. Just make sure the cats are comfortable with your son well before you actually leave. And, at first at least, your son needs to spend extra time with them, however he can. Maybe stay with them overnight during the first few weekends?

You can also have your son use Skype so you can talk with him and let the cats hear you.

Have a plan in place with your son about how any veterinary expenses are covered while you are away.

Keep the cats strictly indoors only while you are gone. It will make it easier for your son to check on the cats and not have to wonder if a cat is outside somewhere or just hiding in the house.

It might help to start having them sleep out of your room. That way they will get used to being alone at night while you are still around. Anything you can do to establish the routine your son will use (time for feeding, time for play) will also help the transition.

Make them indoor only now, so when your son. starts taking care of them they don't make a mad dash to the door to escape.

Is your son a cat person? They may be 'his' cats by the time you return home. Any chance of coming home to visit them (and your son, of Cours) during your trip? Come home for the week end? A bit expensive?

Do you already have a vet? As LTS3 says, have a vet plan in place.

And the servalence camera that you can reach via internet sounds like an outstanding idea. How about someway you could actually talk to them, as previously suggested?