James Edward McCabe

James Edward McCabe of Orlando, Florida died peacefully October 1, 2025, with holding his wife’s hand and surrounded by angel caregivers after a long illness. Jim was born on March 14, 1944, in New York City to Dorothea and Edward McCabe, both now deceased. His brothers Richard (Betty) and Brian (Dee) also predeceased him along with sister, Jane McCabe Adams (Michael). Brother Kevin McCabe (Laura) survives him.

Besides his wife, Claramargaret Groover Jim is survived by his sons, Adharsh Oliver Dennis McCabe (Devi) and Shaun (Matthew Edward) McCabe (Jen); grandchildren, Connor, Skylar, Quinn, Meara, Rex and great-granddaughter, Willow; step-daughter, Sara Webb; step-son, Nathaniel Groover (Christy), step-grandchildren, Jack and Harper; and other loving family members, Leslie Stone, Betty McCabe, Deidre McCabe, and nine nieces and nephews and thirteen great nieces and nephews.

Jim grew up in Rosedale, NY, and Port Washington where Jim attended St. Peter’s Elementary with his siblings and then to St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset, and The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., earning his Bachelor of Architecture in 1967. In his early architectural practice, he worked for HUD in D.C. and later opened Atlantic Architects after he moved his family to Indialantic, Florida. He is the Architect of the Light of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS) in Buckingham, Virginia, a project that drew the attention and personal acquaintance of Robert Venturi, the dean of the mannerist school of architecture. The shrine inspired Venturi’s essay on LOTUS as exemplifying mannerism. In the mid 80’s Jim moved to Orlando and practiced with Fugleberg Koch Architects where he managed the production studio on multi-family residential properties and hotels such as the Grand Caribbean, Disney Vacation Club, Port Orleans, and others. He and Claire married in 1994.

Jim enjoyed his work in the mid 90’s as U.S. Corp of Engineers quality control manager for Kennedy Construction Company in its $50 million expansion of Patrick Air Force base in Brevard County. He worked in Puerto Rico for Ellis-Don of Canada and Welbro Construction at El Conquistador Resort after Hurricane Georges and in Aruba for Radisson’s renovation of a Morris Lapidus design. His work in the Caribbean inspired his redesign and renovation of his and Claire’s home in Orlando.

Jim was an architect by profession and an artist at heart. He could look at something rough and unvarnished and immediately see its potential. His vision, cultivated in his youth, led to a diverse portfolio of works spanning several media: abstract oils while a student at The Catholic University, birth announcements for his sons, design of their family home in Indialantic, early digital pieces using the original Macintosh computer, mixed-media collages inspired by current events, and set designs and decorations for his grandchildren Meara and Rex’s summer birthdays.

Arrangements are being handled by Baldwin Fairchild Conway, 1413 South Semoran Boulevard, Orlando. Visitation Friday, October 10, is from 4:30-6:30 p.m. with a Celebration of Life from 6:30-7:30 pm. Burial is to take place at 9:00 a.m. Saturday at Glen Haven Cemetery, Winter Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Share-the-Care (helpforcaregivers.org) in Winter Park or to the Alzheimer’s Association.