Deacon Michael G. McCabe

Deacon Michael McCabe, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away October 10, 2010, surrounded by his family at home in New City, NY, following a short illness. He was born June 14, 1936, in Bronx, NY, to Rita and Michael McCabe. Michael loved God; jellybeans, strawberry ice cream, and peas; Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth and the NY Giants; singing Irish ballads and Big Band songs; his twelve children and ten grandchildren; and most of all, his beautiful, devoted wife of 50 years, Rebecca O'Brien, whom he married October 22, 1960. He was a devout man of God who served his faith and community throughout his entire life. After serving as Altar Boy in Our Lady of Mercy parish in the Bronx, he was called to enter the priesthood and attended St. Joseph's Seminary for a year. He left St. Joseph's Seminary to attend Iona College in New Rochelle, NY, where he was introduced to Rebecca O'Brien ? it was True Love at first sight and he married Rebecca two years later. He decided to serve God in other ways including as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. On June 2, 1979, he was ordained a Deacon at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. He served as a Deacon at St. Augustine's parish for 31 years in addition to being a member of the choir, CCD teacher, Head of Religious Education, Member of Parish Council, CYO administrator and Head of the RCIA program. He attended Cathedral Prep High School. He graduated Iona College with two bachelor's degrees in Accounting and History. He received an MBA in Accounting from St. John's University. Michael also served his country for six years in the New York Army National Guard from 19591965. He retired from IBM after 33 years (various offices included Manhattan, Somers, Franklin Lakes, White Plains, Southbury). He lived with his family in the Bronx, NY; Selden, Long Island; and most recently in New City, NY for 39 years. Michael is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Rebecca; twelve children: Gerianne, Becky, Mary, Kathy, Peggy, Mike, Patty, Rita, Eileen, Barbara, Kevin and Brian; ten grandchildren: Sean, Danny, Kate, Rachel, Erin, Timmy, Alanna, Grace, Colleen and Morgan; his sister, Ann; dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins; and hundreds of friends and parishioners. He was a kind, loving, religious, family man who will be dearly missed. He made everyone he met feel special and comforted others in times of sadness. We hope he takes comfort in the fact that he was an inspiration to so many, served God and the community exceptionally well, and will be forever loved by his wife, family and friends. A wake will be held at St. Augustine's Church on Wednesday, October 13, 2-8pm followed by a prayer service at 8pm. The funeral mass will be held at St. Augustine's Church on Thursday, October 14th, at 10:30am. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Burial Park in Cranbury, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either St. Jude's Children's Hospital or Catholic Charities of New York in memory of Deacon Michael McCabe.