Monsignor Patrick Albert McCabe of Foxfire, NC passed away peacefully in Houston, TX on August 28, 2018 surrounded by his loving family.
Patrick Albert McCabe was born on January 11, 1937 in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, Ireland. He attended primary school in his hometown and subsequently attended secondary school at Rockwell College in Tipperary. Patrick continued his studies at St. John’s Seminary College in Co. Waterford – where he studied Philosophy and Theology. He was then ordained in June of 1961 at St. John’s Cathedral in Waterford. In fall of that same year, he boarded the RMS Mauretania 2 for the United States with his destination as the Camden Diocese in Southern NJ. Patrick served in this diocese across 10 different parishes over the next 46 years. His first assignment was at St. Joseph in Somers Point. Subsequent assignments were in St. Teresa (Runnemede), St. Raymond (The Villas), St. Patrick (Woodbury), St. Peter (Merchantville) and Our Lady of Lourdes (Glassboro). He then became a pastor in St. Michael (Cedarville) and was also a pastor in St. John (Paulsboro). Patrick was elevated to a Reverend Monsignor by Saint John Paul II in 1995. As a Monsignor, Patrick led St. Lawrence (Lindenwold) – before his last assignment (for over 9 years) at St. Frances Cabrini in Ocean City. Notably, Patrick continued his studies in New Jersey and earned a Masters of Divinity from the Immaculate Conception College at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. Retirement did not stop his service to others. Patrick remained active in Southern Pines, NC over the past 10 years with spiritual service and masses at the Belle Meade Retirement Community and at St. Anthony’s of Padua.
Everyone who knew Patrick understood that he loved being a priest and he enjoyed his parish ministry. His top priority was always pastoral visitation to home or hospital bound parishioners. He was distinguished by his compassion and his ability to accept others and extend forgiveness. He also excelled at the administration and management of his parishes.
Patrick was an accomplished athlete who completed 26 marathons throughout the world. He enjoyed golfing and following politics/current events. He was devoted to his faith, family and to his adopted home of the United States. His parishioners, family and friends knew him as a sensitive man who was always optimistic and positive.
Patrick is predeceased by his loving parents, Felix and Anne McCabe who set a strong Catholic foundation for Patrick and his siblings. He is also predeceased by his twin brothers: Matthew and Bernard. (Bernard’s wife Susan currently lives in Congers, NY.) Patrick is survived by siblings: Joseph (Josie) McCabe of Co. Longford, Ireland; Kathleen (Michael) Courtney of Rye, East Sussex, England; James (Geraldine) McCabe of New City, NY; Sr. Ita McCabe of Co. Longford, Ireland; Anne McCabe O’Connor of Houston, TX; Josie (John) Breslin of Mechanicsburg, PA; Olive Townsend of Co. Carlow, Ireland. He also lives on through his many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
All who knew him are thankful to God for his life and we join in prayer that he may enjoy the fullness of life in the presence of God – whom he loved and faithfully served.
In lieu of flowers, Patrick’s family requests that donations be made in his honor to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org ). Patrick will be waked at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines, NC on Wednesday, September 5th from 4 to 7 pm. A funeral mass and burial is scheduled for 10 am Thursday, September 6th at St. Anthony of Padua in Southern Pines. A memorial mass will be scheduled for later this year in the Camden Diocese.
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines, NC.
Online condolences: BolesFuneralHome.Com.
