Patrick McCabe

Longtime Soldotna resident Patrick T. McCabe, 61, died Feb. 3, 2011, at his home in Soldotna with his family by his side.

A celebration of life will be from 2 to 8 p.m. March 11 at the Soldotna Sports Center, 538 Arena Drive in Soldotna. His cremated remains will be scattered in Eshamy Bay in Prince William Sound.

Mr. McCabe was born March 11, 1949, to William and Margaret McCabe in Spokane, Wash. He graduated from high school at Goose Bay AFB in Labrador, Newfoundland. Patrick trained at Harmon AFB in Stephenville, Newfoundland. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1968 to 1988.

Patrick moved to Alaska and became a resident in 1977. He lived in Anchorage from 1977 to 1982. He lived in Colorado Springs, Colo., at Peterson AFB from 1982-1983. He then moved back to Alaska, to Palmer from 1984 until 2000. In 2000, he moved to Soldotna, where he had lived since.

In 1988, after 20 years of service, Patrick retired from the Air Force as a captain.

In 1989, he started working on the Slope for Conoco Phillips at the Kuparuk medical clinic as a physician's assistant and was there until his passing.

He was a lifetime member of the NRA, Alaska Bow Hunters Association, Pope & Young and was a master bow hunter instructor. Patrick loved to drive his "pinz" (all-terrain vehicle), bowhunt and bowfish. He also enjoyed jetboating, fishing and boating all over Alaska, especially in Prince William Sound.

"He loved his family, friends, country and especially Alaska," his family wrote. "He was a remarkable, loving husband; father, brother, son, uncle, grandfather, colleague and friend. He loved ice cream! He's known for his 'Patventures.' His favorite place was Prince William Sound, but he loved just being outdoors anywhere in Alaska. Those who knew Pat will most remember him for his laughter and his great stories. Alaska will miss one of its best and the Alaska hunting community has lost a brother."

He was preceded in death by his father, William McCabe.

He is survived by his wife, Judy A. McCabe; daughters, Hylis A. McCabe and Patrina A. Marjanac; son, Robert McCabe and girlfriend Beth Courtney, all of Soldotna; grandchildren, Kyra and Leah McCabe of Wasilla; sister, Sandi Maroney; brother in-law, Jack Maroney; mother, Margaret McCabe; niece and nephew, Michelle and David Kuhn, all of Monterey, Calif.; great-niece, Alicia Maroney of Loganville, Ga.; great-nephew, David Maroney of Monterey, Calif.; great-great-niece and -nephew, Keira Maroney of Monterey and Marquise Maroney of Loganville; and multiple sisters- and brothers-in-law in Colorado and Canada.

Memorial donations may be given to Alaska USA FCU, account No. 1201926, or to P.O. Box 3644 Soldotna 99669.

Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.