John Francis McCabe

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John Francis McCabe, 91, formerly of Warwick and recently of Jamestown passed peacefully from this world surrounded by his loving children on December 22, 2014 at Newport Hospital.

Born in Providence on January 16, 1923 he was the only son of Irish immigrants Patrick James McCabe and Elizabeth Marie (Flynn) McCabe.

Dad was raised during the Great Depression and served with the Civil Conservation Corps before graduating from the Merchant Marine Academy in New York, and served his country bravely during World War II. He then went on to a forty-four year career in railroading, starting with the New Haven RR, and retiring as a foreman from Boston & Maine RR. John will be sadly missed by many relatives as well as dear friends from his Hi-Lo Jack league at the Harp & Shamrock. A lifelong Red Sox fan, his devotion never wavered even though it took until he was 81 years old to see them win the World Series.

He was known affectionately as 'Papa' to all his grandchildren as well as many others he touched with his kindness and open door policy. There was always room for one more at the McCabes', and Papa always had a trail of small children and animals behind him. Known to all as a true old-fashioned gentleman in every sense of the word, one of the greatest generation.

John was predeceased by his sisters Anne (McGuire) Fernandes, Helen Donahue, and twin Rosemary Manchester. He was the devoted husband to his 'bride', Margaret A. (Peggy) Leary McCabe for 65 years and together they raised nine children: John P. (Jack) McCabe (Martha) of Austin, Texas, Rosemary A. Geoghegan (Michael) of Warwick, Elizabeth (Betsy) McCabe-Taylor (John) of Keswick, Virginia, Kathleen C. McCabe-Blank (Michael) of Middletown, Patrick J. McCabe of Lincoln, Margaret A. (Peg) Dobbing (Robert) of Narragansett, Maura J. Baudouin (Christopher) of Monroe, Connecticut, and the late Kevin J. McCabe and Michael D. McCabe Sr. (Laura). Grandfather to twenty-one, including his angel granddaughter Kirsti Clare McCabe, and great-grandfather to nine; he also leaves many nieces, nephews, and extended family, the patriarch of a true Irish clan.

The McCabe family would like to thank the nurses and CNAs as well as the kitchen and maintenance staff at the St. Clare Home in Newport for their professional, personalized, and loving care of our dear father during these past few months. We'd also like to thank the ICU staff at Newport Hospital for their professional guidance and attentive support of our family during a very difficult time. Thank you for helping to make Dad's passing a very peaceful one.

His Funeral will be held Saturday, January 10, 2014 at 8:15 a.m. from the Fagan-Quinn Funeral Home, 825 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Mark Church, 60 Narragansett Avenue, Jamestown. Internment with Military Honors and bagpipe accompaniment to follow in the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. Visiting hours Friday, January 9, 2014 from 4-8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank are welcome. For information and condolences visit: www.FaganQuinnFuneralHome.com